British fighter jets are being sent to Poland to help defend NATO airspace after Russian drones recently crossed into Polish and Romanian territory.
The Royal Air Force will deploy Typhoon jets as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, joining aircraft from Denmark, France, and Germany. Their role will be to patrol the skies, detect threats, and intercept any hostile aircraft or drones.
The move comes after what officials described as the most serious violation of NATO airspace by Russia to date, when several drones entered Poland’s sovereign territory last week. A separate incident also saw a drone cross into Romania.
The Typhoons will fly out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and will be supported by Voyager refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton. Missions are expected to begin within days.
This decision followed a meeting of NATO allies on 10 September, after Poland invoked Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, which allows member states to request consultations when their security is under threat. Allies expressed full support for Poland.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a direct threat to European security and a violation of international law, which is why the UK will support NATO’s efforts to bolster its eastern flank through Eastern Sentry.
These aircraft are not just a show of strength, they are vital in deterring aggression, securing NATO airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies.
We will continue to stand firm in our support for Ukraine and ramp up the pressure on Putin until there is a just and lasting peace”.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:
“Russia’s actions are reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented. They only serve to strengthen the unity of NATO. Just as we stand with Ukraine, we will stand with our Polish NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression.
The UK is fully committed to playing its part in Eastern Sentry, increasing our military presence on NATO’s eastern flank even further.
Our advanced Typhoon fighter jets will help deter Russian aggression and, where needed, defend NATO’s airspace, making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, the foundation of our Plan for Change”.
The Typhoons are among the RAF’s most advanced jets, fitted with cutting-edge sensors and weapons to detect and intercept threats. They already form the backbone of Britain’s 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert force, protecting UK skies.
The UK is also maintaining its wider NATO commitments, including a permanent army presence in Estonia and ongoing air policing missions across Europe.
With this deployment, Britain aims to reinforce NATO unity, deter Russian aggression, and reassure allies on the alliance’s eastern flank. Photo by Davide Olivati, Wikimedia commons.