British fighter jets scramble four times to meet Russians

RAF Typhoons scramble four times in a week to stop Russians.

Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters deployed in Poland were scrambled four times in just seven days to intercept Russian aircraft operating near NATO airspace, according to a Ministry of Defence update.

Based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, Poland, RAF Typhoon FGR4 jets from No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron responded to multiple incidents involving aircraft leaving Kaliningrad without flight plans or radio communication.

RAF jets were dispatched on three separate occasions to intercept and identify a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M ‘Coot-A’, a communications and electronic signals intelligence aircraft. On the fourth occasion, the Typhoons were scrambled to intercept a pair of Sukhoi Su-35S ‘Flanker H’ fighters.

“Today was the fourth time in seven days that NATO have scrambled RAF assets stationed at Malbork, Poland. Today’s mission was to intercept and identify the unknown aircraft departing Kaliningrad air space. It was not communicating, nor did it file a flight plan which is required under international law,” said a spokesperson for 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW).

“Once intercepted we escorted the aircraft to protect civilian air traffic in the immediate area, before handing it over to another pair of NATO aircraft.”

The RAF detachment is deployed as part of Operation Chessman, the UK’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission. The effort is led by 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and includes coordination with Sweden, NATO’s newest member.

RAF personnel continue to fly quick reaction alert sorties to deter and monitor Russian military activity in the Baltic region.

The Typhoon FGR4

The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 is a multirole combat aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Originally introduced as an air superiority fighter, the Typhoon has evolved into a versatile platform capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. The designation “FGR4” reflects the aircraft’s enhanced capability set: Fighter, Ground attack, and Reconnaissance. The RAF began transitioning its Tranche 1 aircraft to the multirole-capable FGR4 standard in the late 2000s, with upgrades implemented to expand weapons compatibility, sensor integration, and mission versatility.

The Typhoon FGR4 is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines, providing a maximum speed of Mach 2 and a service ceiling of over 55,000 feet. It features a delta wing and canard configuration for high agility and manoeuvrability. The aircraft is equipped with advanced avionics and a digital glass cockpit, including the CAPTOR-M mechanically scanned radar (to be replaced by the new ECRS Mk2 radar on upgraded jets), PIRATE infrared search and track system, and the DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-System) for electronic warfare protection.

In terms of armament, the Typhoon FGR4 is compatible with a wide array of weaponry. For air-to-air missions, it can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, and Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles. Its ground attack capabilities include Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and Brimstone air-to-surface missiles. The aircraft also mounts a Mauser BK-27mm cannon for close-range engagements. It can carry external fuel tanks and reconnaissance pods to enhance endurance and mission flexibility.

The Typhoon FGR4 plays a key role in UK air defence and expeditionary operations. It has been deployed in various operations, including air policing missions in Eastern Europe, counter-ISIS missions over Iraq and Syria, and NATO exercises. The RAF is continuing to upgrade its fleet with improved sensors, communications, and weapons integration as part of the Project Centurion programme and subsequent initiatives. These enhancements aim to maintain the aircraft’s relevance until at least 2040, when it is expected to be gradually replaced by the sixth-generation GCAP fighter.