British Typhoon jets and a Voyager tanker have flown from Scotland to Poland and back as part of Britain’s effort to help secure the eastern border of NATO.
Taking off this morning, the aircraft returned home this evening after operating in Polish airspace.
British Typhoon jets and a Voyager tanker have flown from Scotland to Poland and back as part of Britain's effort to help secure the eastern border of NATO. pic.twitter.com/wYop0OVKQW
— George Allison (@geoallison) October 3, 2022
In April, Royal Air Force Typhoon jets and a Voyager tanker flew to Portugal to demonstrate their ability to project airpower over the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean.
Why?
This has been ongoing for a number of months now but it’s important to highlight why. Since the beginning of Russia’s attack on Ukraine NATO has taken measures to shield its member States along the eastern flank from potential aggression. In the air, NATO’s Allied Air Command commands and employs military aircraft from the nations and NATO to execute enhanced Vigilance Activities.
NATO has substantially increased the number of fighter jets on alert across Eastern Europe in response to Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The RAF say that Voyagers have been flying over Poland and East Europe refuelling Typhoons out RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth as the RAF, Ministry of Defence, NATO and NATO Air Com continue with their uplift of aircraft in the Baltic States.
“The uplift is a means to strengthen the Alliance’s borders as a direct result of the aggression exhibited by Russia as they invade Ukraine.”
Allied Air Command Chief of Staff, Major General Jörg Lebert, was earlier quoted as saying:
“NATO air forces have bolstered their presence in the eastern part of the Alliance helping to shield NATO against any aggression. Several dozen fighter jets are on alert at any time to respond to possible airspace violations and to deter aggression. Allied Air Command integrates the Allied air forces’ fighters, air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft as well as Allied and NATO airborne warning and control (AWACS) platforms into the standing arrangements to safeguard the skies above the Allies. These assets enable NATO to patrol the Allied airspace and have 24/7 situational awareness above NATO and adjacent territory.”
Here’s a map from NATO showing what’s going on where.
Allied fighters take off from their home bases, forward deployment bases or carriers flying Air Patrol missions along the Alliance’s eastern flank, according to NATO.
This may be a stupid question but given the lack of range some people moan about for the F-35B could a voyager be stationed near the carrier to top-off the f-35 after take-off? Is that a viable tactic or would it all get a bit messy and complicate the airspace?
First off, the F35B range talk is blown out of proportion. It carries more fuel than a Typhoon. As for a Voyager on station to support the carrier. Yes, that is viable option. But depends what part of the world the carrier is operating, and could a friendly airfield support a Voyager. RAF Voyagers support USN F18’s ect in the Gulf region, and have done since the 90s with the Tristar/VC10. All options are looked at. When the QE deployed to the Far East, it was support by a Voyager. Voyager also supported the F35B’s when they took part in… Read more »
Thanks for the informative reply :-).
You are welcome Peter 👍
Seems odd to fly Typhoons all the way from Lossiemouth when Coningsby is a lot closer.
They are certainly piling on the airframe hours.
Care to condemn Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine or the massed murdering actions of Russia’s piss poor military JohnSki?
Another none entity post!
As are Russian tank turrets.
😂😂😂
At least it’s flying hours, as opposed to rusting hours, seeing as the russian air arm is incapable of close air support for the comrades on the ground in retreat.
I guess its proving the reach of the RAF and the ability of the RAF to reinforce eastern Europe NATO members via CAP from the UK?
I would however be worried about flight time and wear and tear on jets- it has to be better to deploy them closer to the theatre of operations- although they are nice and relatively safe in blighty.
Typhoon Squadrons will be taking it in turns across the fleet to meet the requirement.
I did a tour at Wattisham back in the mighty Phantom days. Could never get the Coningsby lot out of bed. Prob still all down the local bop tucked up with the Boston stranglers. Lol.
😆 I used to love a good Thursday night bop night.
More likely they would be kidnapped and held on the Woodhall warriors bus!!!
The Hungarian military is fully integrated into the NATO structures. Getting them out would fracture NATO.
The Government there is reacting to the needs of their population not the diktats of some external power. Don’t you think that purchasing gas at roughly 10% of what we are paying would go down well in the UK? As a by product it deprives Moscow of the vast amount of profit that they use on funding the conflict. Sounds like win-win to me.
Its a lose lose- ask Germany and most of Western Europe- you buy gas from Putin’s tin pot dictatorship and you become a client state. Merkel should be up in court on charges of treason. As for the Hungarians, well they have a rich history of changing sides depending upon which way the wind blows. JohnSki monsieur putinbot- how are things in Moscow at this time? Enjoying the stupendously amazing advances and the defeat of the Russian army? Care to comment on the illegal invasion of Ukraine? or on the rape, looting and massed murdering of civilians Russia’s armed forces… Read more »
Here he comes with a none military topic to make everyone yawn about! A lot of avoidance by you my little Putin stooge of tactical military issues and “opinions” on the situation on the ground with your illegal invasion of Ukraine! Still intrigued to know your view on the recent Nazi efforts at recruitment by your fav dross bag Pooptin?
As for fracturing NATO, hilarious as your mate Puketin and his illegal invasion of Ukraine has ensured NATO is stronger now both politically and militarily than any time since the 70s and 80s. Cheers, many thanks!
“…diktats of some external power.”
Well, you’d know a lot about that seeing as you’re a blatant shill and mouthpiece for the Kremlin.
What rubbish! 😂
10% sounds a bit low. Whole sale is about $430/threm and has been falling. If Russia is selling hungry gas at $43/threm more fool them. Northern Europe’s gas stockpiles are 5% higher than this time in the last 5 years. Roughly 91% full. I’m happy struggling to continue to pay my bills rather than be at Russia’s mercy and be cut off whenever they decide. The invasion of Ukraine is wrong and russia should be punished not rewarded. I know I have stood for what’s right and decent and the evidence of that will be stored for ever in the… Read more »
Maybe at some point the Greeks, Norwegians, Portuguese and Dutch will participate with air patrols from Europe. Not sure about Iceland and Albania’s capabilities. The Baltic states presumably are providing support from airbases.
Oh, and Canada if NATO is showing a united front.
The Dutch have been involved, their tankers have regularly been showing up on ADSB in the region. Guessing with an escort?
Greeks, Norwegians and the Portuguese are a fair comment though, haven’t seen anything on there from them.
Does anyone know how long the Typhoons were patrolling Polish airspace for?
Only around 2/2½ hours usually
Again the RAF and the RN show the Army how to develop, plan and procure modern platforms, while taking acceptable risks in the short term! Both services continually go over and above what seems possible with the small numbers of kit and people available. The Army needs to look on and get a grip!
I second that.
We really need to buy more Typhoons and fully upgrade all the frames we currently have (asap) . We are bare minimum now and with all the extra hours being placed on the airframes they will struggle to last to 2040 (and that’s if Tempest is on schedule). With the attrition of war we would be screwed if things get hot.
Given that Wedgetail IOC has just been pushed back a year and that’s a pretty straight forward procurement compared to Tempest, i’d guess Tempest will be late.