RAF fighter jets defend Poland's skies in first mission since drone incursion
Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters have policed the skies over Poland in the first mission since Russian drones violated Nato airspace.
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RAF Typhoons patrolled the area in which 19 drones were shot down earlier this month amid heightened tensions between Nato and Russia.
On Monday, the Government announced it would provide further air defence over the eastern European nation – with RAF Typhoons setting off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday night.
The fighter jets, alongside a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, embarked on the mission around 70 miles from the Belarusian border.
Speaking to LBC, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy reaffirmed the right of member states to shoot down Russian military aircraft if they enter NATO airspace.
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"The Secretary of State for Defence has been clear that when you send Typhoons into harm's way to defend NATO territory, then of course they can shoot down, if they believe that that is operationally necessary," he said.
"We will defend all of NATO, all of those 32 countries coming together, and we will support partners like Estonia that require us to support them with air defences. There can be no further breaches by Putin at this time.
"We must meet Putin head on. But of course, none of us want unnecessary escalation. And so these are finely balanced judgments that are made by (NATO secretary-general) Mark Rutte and the family of leaders across the NATO family.
"But Putin will see the Typhoons that are flying over NATO territory and the protection that we're now giving to the Baltics. And he will think twice just on one other matter".
In recent weeks, three Nato nations have been entered by Russian aircraft.
Poland, Romania, and Estonia have all seen incursions by Vladimir Putin's forces, raising fears that a direct confrontation between Nato and Russia may be close.
The UK is not the only Nato country patrolling the eastern flank – with missions also being coordinated alongside Denmark, France and Germany.
The US's commitment to NATO has been the subject of debate recently, with US President Donald Trump urging European nations to spend more on defence amid suggestions the US wouldn't help in defending the continent.
But Lammy said he is "confident" that article 5 stands. Article 5 sets out that an armed attack against one nation must be seen as an attack against all.
"I am confident that Article 5 stands. I am confident, given the number of US troops, thousands, tens of thousands, across Europe, that are committed to European defence," he said.
"But I also recognise at this time there are serious pressures in the Indo Pacific, that America is also conscious of challenges in the South China Seas as well. And that's why this is a time to increase defence spending across all allies, and that includes North Atlantic and European allies as well".
On board the Voyager aircraft, refuelling operations happened without incident – with the 88ft fuel hose being attached to the fighter jets north of Hamburg on the way out to the mission, as well as 70 miles from the Belarusian border.
The site of the second refuelling was conducted over where 19 Russian drones were shot down earlier this month.
The jets, equipped with advanced sensors and infrared-guided advanced short-range air-to-air missiles, refuelled at around 25,000ft while the Voyager was travelling at speeds of approximately 439mph.
As the Typhoon jets patrolled the eastern flank on Nato, the refuelling aircraft circled further inland in a pattern that pilots describe as a “race track” – awaiting the next refuelling exercise.
Once the fighter jets were in position to refuel, the refuelling process was coordinated by a missions system operator – who cleared the aircraft to make contact with the fuel hose, and directed when fuel could be taken on board through a system akin to traffic lights.
On Friday night, the Voyager delivered 27.4 tonnes of fuel to the fighter jets, which positioned themselves just 12 metres (39ft) away from the refuelling aircraft as they went through the process many personnel describe as “having a drink”.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the RAF pilots and crew were “standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security” by carrying out the mission.
He said: “RAF Typhoons have now flown their first air defence mission over Poland, sending a clear signal: Nato airspace will be defended.
“I’m proud of the outstanding British pilots and air crew who took part in this successful operation to defend our Allies from reckless Russian aggression.
“This weekend, as we honour the heroism of the Battle of Britain generation, it is especially poignant that RAF pilots and crew are once again standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security – making us secure at home and strong abroad.”
More than 400 UK personnel are due to support the Nato patrolling missions in eastern Europe.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said: “Our partnership with Nato has never been stronger.
“This sortie marks the RAF’s first operational mission on Eastern Sentry, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast commitment to Nato and its allies.
“RAF Typhoons, supported by Voyager air-air refuelling aircraft, joined allies along the eastern flank to bolster Nato defence and deterrence.
“We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”