UK Typhoon fighters complete first combat Patrol over Poland in NATO drills

Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighters have completed their first combat sortie over Poland as part of NATO’s “Eastern Guard” exercises, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website.

“The RAF Typhoon aircraft have flown their first air defence mission over Poland, sending a clear message: NATO airspace will be protected,” said UK Defence Secretary John Healey, Caliber.Az reports.

According to the MoD, two British Typhoons took off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, supported by a Voyager refuelling aircraft, to patrol Polish skies and safeguard against aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The aircraft returned to the UK on the morning of Saturday, September 20.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smith, noted that the Typhoons’ mission underscores the UK’s commitment to NATO and its allies.

The MoD added that over the past 18 months, the RAF has repeatedly deployed Typhoons to Poland and Romania to protect NATO airspace, while British forces continue their presence in Estonia as part of the alliance’s forward-deployed land forces.

By Khagan Isayev