NATO deploys early warning aircraft to monitor Ukrainian airspace

NATO has redeployed its Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft over Poland to surveil Ukrainian airspace.

This move is intended to support the Alliance's reinforced presence in the region and to monitor Russian military activities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

While NATO officially states that any intelligence gathered is shared only with NATO member countries, it is widely understood that some members promptly share this information with Ukraine. According to a former RAF officer speaking to the UK Defence Journal anonymously, Western intelligence data helps Ukraine respond more quickly to incoming threats.

NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu emphasized the Alliance's commitment to defending its territory in a statement made during a similar deployment last year. "As Russia's illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO's resolve to protect and defend every inch of Allied territory," she said. She also highlighted the importance of AWACS, which can detect aircraft from hundreds of kilometers away, making them crucial for NATO's defense and deterrence strategy.

In response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, NATO has bolstered its air presence in Eastern Europe with additional fighters, surveillance aircraft, and tankers. Since February 2022, NATO AWACS have regularly patrolled Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to monitor Russian aircraft near NATO borders.