First mission flown
Royal Air Force Typhoons have completed their first Nato air-defence sortie over Poland as part of Eastern Sentry, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern flank after a Russian drone violated Polish airspace.
Two fighters departed RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on Friday night, supported by an RAF Voyager tanker, before returning safely to the UK early Saturday, the Ministry of Defence said.
Signal to Moscow
Defence Secretary John Healey said the operation “sends a clear signal: Nato airspace will be defended,” praising the pilots and aircrew for a “successful operation to defend our allies from reckless Russian aggression.”
The mission follows a week of airspace breaches by Russian jets and drones and comes after Poland invoked Article 4 consultations at the North Atlantic Council, which expressed full solidarity with Warsaw.
More than 400 UK personnel are set to support Eastern Sentry. The deployment coincides with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – a moment the government said underscores historic UK-Poland ties, recalling the crucial role of Polish pilots in 1940.
Deterrence and capability
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, said the sortie underlined the UK’s “steadfast commitment to Nato and its allies,” adding the RAF remains “agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
Typhoons on the mission carried advanced sensors and infrared-guided ASRAAM missiles to detect, monitor and intercept potential aerial threats.
Wider Nato commitment
The UK’s pledge forms part of a broader posture across Europe. The British Army maintains a presence in Estonia under Nato’s Forward Land Forces, while the RAF has run regular air-policing rotations in Poland and Romania over the past 18 months. Ministers said the “new era of threat” demands sustained investment and confirmed plans to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027.
Officials added that Ireland’s eastern flank partners, industry and allies will see continued UK contributions to collective air defence as missions scale under Eastern Sentry.
