A pair of Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons stationed at Malbork Air Base, northern Poland, have intercepted multiple Russian aircraft flying close to the Baltic Sea three times in two days.
The RAF announced that the fighters were first scrambled to identify an Ilyushin Il-20M surveillance and reconnaissance plane, as well as two Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft that took off from Kaliningrad on two separate occasions.
Both Typhoons were then ordered to scramble a third time to shadow another Il-20M flying over NATO airspace.
The force’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) Number II Squadron has begun conducting a Quick Reaction Alert as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing protocol.
“Once intercepted, we shadowed the aircraft to protect civilian air traffic in the immediate area,” a spokesperson from the EAW shared.
The UK will conduct the policing mission alongside Sweden, NATO’s newest member.
The Baltic Sea is surrounded by eight NATO member states, including Estonia, Germany, and Lithuania.
Intercepting Russian Planes
Back in December, two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 jets escorted three Russian military aircraft flying over the region, after the planes failed to identify themselves during communication efforts from the Dutch fleet.
Poland also intercepted an Il-20 plane in May last year, just three days after it was escorted out by two F-16 jets from the 31st Tactical Air Base in Krzesiny, southeastern Poland.
Strengthening Defenses
In January, NATO announced the launch of Baltic Sentry, a new joint military effort to bolster the alliance’s military presence in the Baltic Sea.
The effort is set to include frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones to ensure the safety and security of the alliance’s critical infrastructure.
