On Friday night into Saturday, two British Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets appeared in Polish skies. It was the first aerial patrol mission by the British within NATO’s Eastern Sentry operation. “This weekend, as we pay tribute to the heroic generation of the Battle of Britain, it is especially moving that RAF pilots and crews once again stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland, defending our shared security,” said John Healey, the British Defence Secretary.
Two RAF Typhoon fighters took off Friday evening from Coningsby Air Base in eastern England to patrol Polish airspace, deter, and defend against aerial threats from Russia. They were supported by a Voyager air tanker. After completing their mission, the RAF aircraft returned safely to the United Kingdom early Saturday morning, the British Ministry of Defence announced in a special statement.
According to the ministry, this was the RAF’s first operational mission following the incursion of Russian drones into Poland’s sovereign airspace—described as “the most serious violation of NATO airspace by Putin since his illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”
“RAF Typhoon jets have just completed their first air defense mission over Poland, sending a clear signal—NATO airspace will be defended. I am proud of the outstanding British pilots and aircrews who took part in the operation to defend our allies against Russia’s reckless aggression,” Defence Secretary John Healey said.
The Legacy of the Battle of Britain
It was recalled that Britain’s involvement in the Eastern Sentry mission coincides with the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
“The United Kingdom and Poland share a moving history. Just as during the Battle of Britain, when Polish pilots supported the UK by forming one of the largest and most effective foreign RAF contingents, so now Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with its Polish allies in the face of Russian aggression,” the statement read.
“This weekend, as we pay tribute to the heroic generation of the Battle of Britain, it is especially moving that RAF pilots and crews once again stand shoulder to shoulder with Poland, defending our shared security,” Healey added.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced last Friday that the Alliance is launching the Eastern Sentry mission to reinforce the eastern flank. The mission involves, among others, Danish F-16s, French Rafales, and German Eurofighters.