The Royal Air Force and Swedish Air Force have officially begun enhanced NATO Air Policing operations from Poland.
Announced during a formal ceremony at Malbork Air Base, Operation Chessman saw NATO declare the RAF and Swedish Air Force ready to conduct a vital air policing mission.
This deployment marks the first time Swedish combat aircraft will participate in NATO’s enhanced Air Policing from another ally’s territory—and the first time they do so under NATO command since joining the Alliance in 2024.
The RAF Typhoon detachment, operating as 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), will fly alongside Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters during the mission. Their presence in Poland follows the RAF’s 2024 deployment to Romania and underscores the UK’s continued commitment to NATO and European security.
The ceremony was attended by senior figures including Lord Coaker, Minister for the House of Lords; Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz; and Sweden’s Defence Minister Pål Jonson.
Wing Commander Jacob, Commanding Officer of 140 EAW, described the deployment as a proud moment for the UK team. “The arrival of our Typhoon aircraft here at Malbork marks a proud moment for our team as we prepare to take on this vital NATO mission,” he said. “It is a privilege to be in Poland, a country with which the United Kingdom shares a long and storied history of friendship and cooperation, that predates the NATO Alliance.”
He highlighted the operation’s importance in strengthening bonds within the Alliance: “We are here to defend and deter, standing ready to protect against any threat, whilst reassuring our allies of the UK’s commitment to NATO and the region.”
The RAF says the deployment is not only about deterrence but also about reinforcing collaboration and trust among NATO members through interoperability and shared operations.
Hi folks hope all is well.
Great to see the show of strength with two credible air forces. Unless I missed it, do we know the numbers we are deploying?
Whilst on the air theme, there appears to be a lot of panic about the Red Arrows new aircraft being of Russian design? How realistic is this? I’d be shocked if this is so. In Sun newspaper apparently.
Cheers
George
The Sun 🤣
Hi New Me.
Yes that’s what I thought. How credible is this realistically?
Cheers
George
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The Aircraft in Question was a joint venture combining Italian and Russian Aerospace Companies. Whether any interest actually leads to an order for the RAF Red Arrows is unlikely at this point. In the future who knows ?.
See today’s NL article on the options available to replace the Hawk for fast jet training.