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The Royal Air Force has intercepted Russian aircraft 21 times over 21 days as part of Britain’s contribution to the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia.
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The British Typhoon fighters were operating as part of the Air Policing mission’s Quick Reaction Alert fleet that were stationed in Estonia’s Amari Air Base.
The UK Ministry of Defence detailed that the intercepted aircraft included a range of Russian fighter and logistics capabilities.
This included Su-27M Flanker B and Su-30SM Flanker H fighter aircraft, Tu-134 Crusty, An-72 Coaler and AN-12 Cub transport capabilities, Il-20 Coot A intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, and the Tu-22M Backfire long-range bomber.
“These intercepts are a stark reminder of the value of collective defence and deterrence provided by NATO,” the UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced.
“The RAF has operated alongside our allies over the last three weeks to ensure both member states and our partner nations are protected, and they can be assured of our ongoing commitment to strengthening European security alongside those who share our values.”
The UK Ministry of Defence continued, explaining that the policing mission is conducted alongside Portuguese and Romanian Air Force capabilities operating from Lithuania.
The Typhoons have been deployed from their regular base at RAF Lossiemouth’s No. 1 fighter Squadron and are currently supported by 100 servicemembers.
Wing Commander Scott Maccoll, Commanding Officer of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, explained that the deployment was essential for upholding stability.
“The number of recent intercepts that we have conducted from Amari Air Base in Estonia demonstrates the importance that our mission serves here in the Baltics,” WGCDR Maccoll said.
“Throughout our NATO Air Policing Mission, 140 EAW has acted decisively and legitimately to uphold international law, protect democratic freedoms, and ensure the safety of all aircraft transiting throughout the airspace of member states.
“Working closely with our NATO allies has also improved interoperability across the alliance and bolstered regional security on NATO’s eastern flank.”
The air policing mission was launched in 2014.
In mid-June, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the alliance will found the NATO–Ukraine defence council, with Ukraine invited to take part in the organisation as an “equal member”.
Additional details on the new body are scheduled to be released at the upcoming NATO Summit in Lithuania, though members have agreed to standardise munitions, command, and enhance interoperability between Ukraine and NATO.
The announcement was made following a recent meeting between NATO defence ministers ahead of the summit where attendees unpacked their ongoing support for Ukraine and NATO’s primary objectives for security in the North Atlantic.
During the meeting, ministers reiterated their support for minimum defence expenditure among allied nations to remain at 2 per cent of gross domestic product.
Stoltenberg expressed his hopes that member states would exceed the minimum, echoing that the figure was a “floor”.
The secretary general also affirmed his support for Sweden’s membership to the alliance, maintaining that NATO will continue to have an open-door policy which will remain unchanged despite Russian aggression, while also welcoming the efforts of NATO partners and the Ukrainian military including plans to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and the ongoing counteroffensive.
