UK fighter jets launch NATO air defence mission over Poland

British Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jets have carried out their first NATO air defence patrol over Poland, part of an alliance mission to bolster security after a recent Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace, the UK government said.

Two Typhoons departed from a base in eastern England on Friday night, flew the sortie over Poland, and returned early Saturday morning, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Defence Minister John Healey said the deployment was announced last week in response to “the most significant violation of NATO airspace by President [Vladimir] Putin since the start of his illegal full-scale war in Ukraine.” He added the flights sent “a clear signal: NATO airspace will be defended.”

RAF Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said the jets operated alongside allies along NATO’s eastern flank. “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range,” he said.

The UK move comes as NATO-member Estonia accused Russia on Friday of sending three military aircraft into its airspace for 12 minutes in what it called an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion. Healey condemned the action, calling it Russia’s third violation of NATO territory in recent days.

Britain has also pledged to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027, a step seen as a signal to Washington that it intends to strengthen Europe’s collective security.