RAF Conducts First Air Defense mission Over Poland Following Drone Incident
WARSAW, POLAND – The Royal Air Force has flown its first air defence mission over Polish territory following a recent incursion of Russian drones, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed today, September 5, 2024.RAF pilots, operating alongside Polish forces, are participating in “Eastern Sentry,” a deployment designed to bolster air security in the region amid heightened tensions.
The operation marks a significant moment in the ongoing collaboration between the UK and Poland,especially resonant given the ancient alliance forged during the Battle of Britain 85 years ago,when Polish pilots fought alongside the RAF against German air attacks. The current deployment underscores a renewed commitment to collective security in the face of contemporary threats.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated, “It is especially poignant that RAF pilots and crew are once again standing shoulder to shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security.” The RAF mission involved RAF Mission System Operators commanding FGR4 Typhoons from the cockpit of an RAF Voyager air-refuelling tanker.
Air Chief marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, emphasized the strength of the UK’s alliance within NATO, stating, “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.” The deployment is intended to demonstrate the UK’s resolve to defend NATO’s eastern flank and deter further aggression.
