Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel have returned from a four-month stint leading NATO’s Baltic air policing mission in Estonia.
During this time, they intercepted 50 Russian aircraft and clocked over 500 hours in the air.
This mission, known as Op Azotize, saw members from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (140 EAW) stationed at Ämari Air Base from the beginning of March. Here, they undertook Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) intercepts of Russian aircraft near NATO airspace.
The RAF Typhoon fighter jets involved in these operations hailed from RAF Lossiemouth and were primarily from the IX(Bomber) and 1(Fighter) squadrons.
Op Azotize also marked a significant first: British and German Typhoons conducted the inaugural joint air intercept of NATO allies. They together shadowed a Russian air-to-air refuelling plane and a transport aircraft.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace remarked, “Hundreds of RAF pilots and personnel have spent months away from their families, working round-the-clock alongside our allies to keep Europe’s skies safe.” He stressed that the UK’s role in the successful interception of multiple Russian aircraft signals a strong stand with NATO allies against any border threats.
Personnel from 140 EAW were always ready to intercept Russian planes that disregarded communication with NATO-controlled air traffic agencies and neglected to file flight plans. This non-compliance with international standards poses potential flight safety hazards.
RAF Typhoons were notably active during a 21-day phase, intercepting Russian fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance planes 21 times. Throughout this mission, coordination was maintained with Portuguese and Romanian Air Forces in Lithuania.
In a closing statement, Air Marshal Harv Smyth emphasised, “The RAF is committed to its role within NATO of collective defence… Now that they are back in the UK, their focus will be straight back to providing UK quick reaction alert where they will help ensure the safety and integrity of UK airspace, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
The Baltic Air Policing mission by NATO commenced in 2014, post Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. Allies rotate every four months to offer protection and assurance to all NATO members.
Interestingly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have no combat jets, and are totally dependant on NATO for air defence. How long could this continue?
That’s the inherent problem with NATO. The countries that bear the biggest risks have no obligation to bear the costs. A disproportionately large burden of securing the alliance’s difficult corners falls on the most active members (U.S, U.K).
Small countries love it because they get their defense subsidized for effectively no commitment of their own.
To be fair, I think all of them are spending above the NATO minimum, its just that their economies are so small that there is a ceiling in regards to how much that can actually amount to.
Besides, very few kids and low population pool.
They should stick to ground forces, tanks, mines, artillerie, ground to ground missiles.
In terms of air operations, strike aircraft should not be there, only interceptor and ground to air missiles.
In case of war, these countries may become battlefield and meat grinder.
Chris,
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania respectively spend 2.2, 2.3. 2.0% of GDP on Defence (meeting the NATO target (a floor, not a ceiling, now) set against France, Germany and Italy who spend 1.9% 1.3% 1.5% (not meeting NATO target.)
Additionally, the three Baltic states are HN for eFP.
I served alongside an Estonian infantry company in Afghan – good soldiers, good guys.
The Baltic nations know what it is like to have lost your freedom to the USSR – they would be so effective on the northern flank if it all kicks off NATO vs Russia.
Why not switch your fire to Iceland when you see how many armed forces they contribute to NATO?
Protecting these countries is better for France than protecting Maginot line or relying only on nuclear deterence. A strong commitment there will render adventurism worthless. 450 million europeans can protect themselves against 150 million Russians. Just a matter of will. Nato, with 60 million Brits and 350 million americans added provide strategic depth.
Long enough to stop you inbred rapists if you ever feel brave enough to pick on someone bigger that’s for sure.
Those countries bring other stuff to the nato table and the fighter jet rotation is great practice for other nato countries that have them. The Baltic nations spend a lot and if they weren’t part of nato it could of been them instead of Ukraine.
Interestingly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have decent lads who serve in their military, but you wouldn’t know anything about military service would you my little angry and rather sad, mostly jealous troll.
Estonia is one of the most corrupt crime filled countries in Europe.
Oh dear now you are angry at the Estonians! Wow!
Jack wrote:
Not according to the 2022 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX it isnt , where it ranks in 14th postion with 9 other European countries doing better and 20 below it.
Yep completely not true
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/13/estonian-government-collapses-over-corruption-investigation
Where do you get that information from? Where are you from – Russia? That country is in the Top 15 for most corrupt nation.
As Farouk says, Estonia is considered to be one of the least corrupt nations in the 2022 Corruptions Perception Index.
You really must learn to use facts and references.
Troll seems to be your favourite word, what is a troll??????
Look it up, it’s an oft used word when describing trolls!
Jack wrote:
“”Interestingly Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have no combat jets, and are totally dependant on NATO for air defence. How long could this continue?””
There is no “i” in team work.
All former soviet states have no infrastructure from before 1990. The Soviets made sure if it. Prosperity will lead to surplus, and surplus will lead to defense spending among other things.
This may come as a surprise to you, but not every western nation has a fast jet air force. Doesn’t mean that their respective militaries aren’t competent. I mean, Russia has a fast jet air component, but ,well, let’s not mention that shitshow.
Agree, why does everyone think I pro Russian?
Why do you think you’re not?
Not many do, your just a sad anti-UK wannabee. Pro Russian, you would never admit to that would you.
What are you Mr born. Pro what? Pro free buss pass? that’s it. Enjoy your retirement you wrinkly old twat. How is the English?
Oh dear, your anger is now increasing and your up to shouting at the screen with playground name calling. Oh I’m grinning now, so amusing. Put that handbag down as it would seem you cannot handle being gripped and reminded how unqualified you are for the subjects in hand. That seem to annoy you, you have to, and can only read about others real time experiences, and feel more than a little inadequate?
Do people still think the Russians are a spent force?
I don’t, far from it.
Russian forces are certainly not what they were made out to be. If they didn’t have the left overs from the Soviet Union they would have no vehicles left.
Folks often forget how many countries the Soviet Union was. Russia was only a part of it but luckily kept most of the stuff from that era.
Without mobilisation Russia forces have been decimated. I didn’t think Russians would put up with so much pointless death and injuries to the population as they have. A wasted generation for putins ego trip. Russia will struggle to recover. It’s population was already on a downward aging trend before the conflict.
With over 1 million of its brightest already left Russia, the dead and injured the population has suffered.
It just shows what constant propaganda can achieve in brain washing. Hopefully the population with reach a point where they have had enough of pointless death and destruction. It will happen quickly. Just like the Wagner March on Moscow.
Russia will continue the same without Putin. Its citizens do no want to be westernised.
Perhaps so. But they will be china-ised instead.
Too true. The trouble is, what will sustain the Western Middle class as the east rises?
Ah middle class, working class, upper class, no such thing anymore, you way out of date with your rhetoric.
Now that’s a stunner, your confirming my previous statements about your anger and jealousy. Getting all shouty at the screen and a little frothy. Nice, keep wriggling and dancing to my tune.
I didn’t say they want to be westernised. They want what everyone does. To live in a peaceful safe place, with enough money to live comfortably with opportunities to improve ur circumstances and be happy. Also to be able to say what u think and participate in free and fair elections.
I’ve spoken to Russians, that live near me, I play online games with some, ive watched Russians speaking on channels like 1420 etc and they are mostly scared of speaking, will say I don’t have an opinion (when they really do but are frightened of speaking) or say whatever the Lies the Russian media has told them. What is really noticeable is the difference of opinions between those under roughly 35 and over 35.
YouTube channels like inside Russia, niki proshin also give there opinions as russsians. I watched them before they left Russia due to the war.
More scared of speaking than a uk male with “traditional” viewpoints?
Damn your clutching at straws in your anti-UK negativity. Come on, do make an effort.
He does have a good point about UK males being too scared to speak freely about certain “Protected” groups…
Nope. Never had a problem.
Well try praying silently near an abortion clinic, posting a rainbow coloured Hakenkreuz, or stating that a WPC looks very similar to your gay Grand Mother then…
I’m not religious and if I was praying at a abortion clinic is unnecessary. People pray in a church, mosque etc or in private at home.
The other stuff listed is going out of ur way to annoy others.
Simple rules in life, be nice, understanding and respectful and expect the same back. Opinions are like arse holes. Everyone’s got one but doesn’t care too much what comes out of it.
Totally agree with respecting others, however, the freedoms of religion, speech and expression are being diluted in the UK and throughout “The West”. The simply question is why should we stand on the World stage spouting about a Rules Based Order and ignore what’s happening in our own countries?
You’ve stated the same shit before and was debunked immediately by other more educated posters on here.
Well obviously, you yourself, stated there are peasants in Russia.
Weak effort at connection of previous posts, you are quite bad at this aren’t you!
They were very pleased to have Starbucks and McDonalds all those years ago.
Here is an example of Russian corruption. Company received an order to supply the army with tins of Beef stew , here is what they got:
great way to keep the troops morel up, not!!
Staggering. There is no way the Russians will win this war. I also heard that a lot of ERA tiles were not filled with explosive, but cardboard – total muppets!
https://ifunny.co/picture/a-destroyed-russian-t-72-with-era-filled-with-cardboard-LbR8H4RO9
They don’t need to win. They’ll just freeze the conflict on its present lines, unfortunately we’ll break before Putin does…
We’ll break? I would be very disappointed if we lose our moral compass, although some in the US, especially Republican politicians, are ‘going wobbly’.
The war will end when Putin leaves office – by the door or by the window!
Preferably he leaves by the latter
No. They have 1000s of nuclear weapons. Vast resources.
Resources they are needing to sell for tiny profits.
Nuclear weapons that can’t be used unless they want to end the world.
These are not things ordinary Russians have. The resources only a few elites really benefit from not most Russians.
No, resources that once went to Europe, now going to China and India giving them more power, and forcing Europe into paying more for oil. The failing of the West was ignoring Ukraine for too long. They should be in Nato.
Yes some are going to those countries at a much reduced value. India and China are paying less than the sanctioned price.
The failure of the west was believing what Russia said over the years.
I’m happy paying a bit more for some things if it means I’m not funding rape, torture and murder of peaceful people.
Glad u r happy then funding the middle east (where women can’t drive)
Oh dear, yet again a subject you know nothing about and incorrect. Maybe your anger is clouding your research efforts?
Those Norwegian where the U.K. gets most of oil and gas from are Viking savages. 😂😂😂😂
So ur argument is it’s better to buy from Russia than other sources. Brilliant.
Oh my, as you get angry your agenda shows in almost every post!
I see the republicans in the US are getting bored of Ukraine. What next?
Green with envy, calm down, deep breaths.
You have taken a poll that said should the USA give additional funding to Ukraine. 55% said the amount being providing is enough. NOT cut all funding.
That survey question was asked after a load of other questions and polls answers can give different answers depending what is asked before that question.
Part of that problem is the USA putting such a high dollar value on basically retired items and included replacements arms costs, funding for world bank, refugees, funding for Africa and so on.
Destroying Russian forces for 4% of the defence budget without using US lives is a bargain.
Ok, as long as you are happy the West will keep funding trench warfare
Sorry that ones a 0 out of 10.
The West will be happy when Russia ditches it’s aggressive stance towards it’s neighbours and in regard to Ukraine returns to pre 2014 borders. A return to true democratic norms would also be nice. It should also surrender it’s seat on the security council until such time as it can demonstrate it’s forces are capable of being a force for good in the world. The removal of private armies in Africa might be a start.
How long are Russian citizens going put up with dying for a cause they cannot win especially when it is becoming increasingly clear their true enemies are not the Ukrainian people?
Food for thought – https://twitter.com/upholdreality/status/1690222012642230272
Well he would say that wouldn’t he. If the Russian people are wholely behind him then obviously they are paying the price. I’m sure that the Ukrainian Government will take the position that they are allowed to defend the territorial integrity of their country and virtually all countries throughout the world will support that. It is the basic principle supporting sovereignty.
When a country turns it’s back on the rules based order it cannot be surprised if that is not accepted and the rest of the world supports those attempting to reestablish that order. It is in everyones interest to do so.
Hoping that Countries will be desperate to see an end to the conflict on any terms is missing the point.
What is the alternative? Let Russia appear as big boy in the room? Impossible, we can be stronger, when we want. Let Poland, Romania, baltes countries or Scandinavia be bullied by Russia alone, with no solidarity would not be fair. If we want a common policy in foreign affairs, if we want Russia to avoid to reproduce the mistake of ignoring european positions in diplomacy, we have to strike right now where it hurts.
Russia and USA wanted to discuss it together, once more. We said ok, but here we are, and problem will happens if you ignore our position. Now, Russia loose their kids, loose markets share, loose independance to China. What you said is true, but other dynamics do exist as well.
EU and UK are flexing muscles even though the main burden remain in the US. Thanks to UK and EU, thing start to have a price in eastern Europe. Equipment is no longer from Russia.
…and the Russians are going to unleash these against Ukrainian forces or ‘the West’???