Picture courtesy of Ministry of Defence | via BBC

 

Fighter jets from the UK are gearing up to defend Polish airspace following last week's incursion involving Russian drones. The defence secretary confirmed RAF Typhoon jets would join NATO allies to bolster the eastern flank's defences. This mission is part of Nato’s response after 19 Russian drones entered Polish territory, with Moscow denying the act was intentional.

 

This week's incident has heightened tensions across Europe, prompting a response from multiple nations. Denmark, Germany, and France had already begun supporting Nato's air mission, and on Monday, a French jet was dispatched due to another potential incursion. These swift moves underscore the alliance's resolve in countering threats along its eastern borders.

 

RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire will serve as the base for the Typhoons, which will soon fly missions supported by RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft. The UK jets will join a formidable array of aircraft, including Danish F-16s, French Rafales, and German Eurofighters. Britain’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, emphasised a unified response to Russia’s actions, labelling them "reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented."

 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer affirmed the significance of the mission, dubbed Eastern Sentry, stating it is essential for deterring aggression and safeguarding Nato airspace. This incident is significant as it represents the first direct interaction between a NATO member and Russian drones since the start of the war in February 2022.

 

Meanwhile, Romanian aviation also experienced an intrusion from a Russian drone, as confirmed by its defence ministry. Romanian fighter jets monitored the situation as the drone neared Ukraine's southern border. However, the drone eventually vanished from radar and posed no imminent threat.

 

Calls for action in Poland led to Nato invoking Article 4, enabling member countries to bring security concerns to the North Atlantic Council. After this, NATO pledged to enhance defences along its eastern perimeter. Casualties resulted from the Polish incursion, as preliminary assessments suggest the use of Gerbera "decoy" drones instead of armed ones.

 

The UK's participation reinforces a longstanding commitment to Nato airspace protection, following the RAF's previous deployment of Typhoons to Poland and Romania in the past 18 months.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• UK RAF Typhoons to join Nato in defending Polish skies after Russian drones incursion.
• Nato’s eastern defences are strengthened amid increased European tensions.
• Nato invokes Article 4; no casualties reported due to the Gerbera 'decoy' drones.

 

Related Stories:

 

NATO Bolsters Defences After Russian Drones Breach Poland

NATO launches ‘Eastern Sentry’ after Russian drone incursion

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-16

 

 

Good no quislings there!!