UK fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near NATO鈥檚 eastern flank
UK fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace
UK fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace as part of the UK鈥檚 contribution to NATO鈥檚 enhanced Air Policing in the region.
Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday (April 15) to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 鈥淐oot-A鈥� intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
Whilst on Thursday (17 April) another two Typhoons scrambled from the base, to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and close to NATO airspace.
The intercepts mark the RAF鈥檚 first scramble as part of Operation CHESSMAN and come just weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin their deployment alongside Sweden in defence of NATO鈥檚 Eastern Flank.
It follows the Prime Minister鈥檚 historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty.鈥犅�
Keeping the country safe is the Government鈥檚 first priority and foundation of its Plan for Change. The work of the Royal Air Force is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting聽the delivery of the Government鈥檚 five missions.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said:
The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO. With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change.
This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO鈥檚 newest member Sweden and to聽defend the Alliance鈥檚 airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.
The UK鈥檚 deployment of six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is the UK鈥檚 latest contribution to NATO鈥檚 air policing efforts, following successful operations in Romania and Iceland last year.
It also represents a landmark in NATO integration with RAF jets from RAF Lossiemouth operating alongside Swedish Gripens 鈥� the first time Sweden has contributed fighter aircraft to another Ally鈥檚 air policing since joining NATO in 2024.
The intercepts come after the Defence Secretary鈥檚 visit to NATO last week where he reaffirmed the UK鈥檚 unshakeable commitment to the alliance and co-led a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in which more than 50 nations pledged a total of 拢21 billion of support to Ukraine.
The Typhoon programme supports more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK every year, which is defending our security whilst creating jobs back home. 聽
The RAF鈥檚 Quick Reaction Alert forces, based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton, remain ready to protect UK airspace around the clock, while deployed operations like Op CHESSMAN ensure that British airpower is defending the Alliance wherever it is most needed.