Royal Air Force Typhoons deployed to Poland under Operation Chessman were scrambled yesterday to intercept a Russian aircraft operating close to NATO airspace.
The aircraft had already been escorted by three other NATO pairs earlier in the day, underscoring the intensity of allied air policing efforts across the region.
The RAF jets, part of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth, are currently operating from 22nd Air Base in Malbork, Poland, as part of the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. The deployment falls under 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and aims to deter aggression, reassure allies, and uphold the integrity of allied airspace.
“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,” said Wing Commander Christopher Jacob, Commanding Officer of 140 EAW. “Together, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to NATO’s collective defence, safeguarding the skies and fortifying bonds among our allies.”
Operation Chessman is part of NATO’s longstanding programme to bolster air policing in areas with limited indigenous air defence capabilities. The arrival of British Typhoons in Malbork reaffirms the UK’s continued role in ensuring security along NATO’s eastern flank.
The latest intercept illustrates the persistent challenge posed by Russian military aviation activity near allied borders. It also highlights the importance of sustained, multi-national air operations to monitor, deter, and respond to potential threats.
This sort of thing isn’t going to stop until the rules of engagement are reformed and we start shooting down Russian intruders approaching NATO airspace. In 2015, a Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M attack aircraft near the Syria–Turkey border. Putin crapped out and did nothing.
You need to read again what happened in that instance – the SU24 had actually strayed into Turkish Airspace ,albeit briefly ,but had ignored all the usual warnings and protocols.You’d best not want to start WW3 over something that happens quite routinely now.
Whether the Su-24 had actually strayed into Turkish airspace is irrelevant. The point is that Putin issued a grovelling apology and he did not then start WW3. The only thing that the Russians understand is strength. Shooting one of their warplanes down says quite clearly “enough is enough”
It’s also clear to many that WW3 has already started. We didnt start it, Putin did. Last year the RN was forced to surface an Astute boat to make a point near a Russian ship mapping our undersea infrastructure in the Irish Sea. I would have torpedoed it – and then sent down divers to retrieve the electronic equipment, hard drives etc.
Its a huge pity some of these Russian orc pest aircraft don’t have an accident whilst loitering in and around NATO airspace causing a nuisance to navigation and generally trying to keep NATO on guard and its resources spent. This is just another form of Russia’s hybrid warfare, all measures included short of actually triggering an article V declaration are considered fair game by Russia.
Perhaps our best response is to give Ukraine even more support to really cause Russia even more attrition and their war of conquest in Ukraine the maximum possible price in resources and lives lost.
Wouldn’t russian jets actually entering NATO airspace – as has happened at least twice recently – be an act of war?