In a significant bolstering of NATO’s eastern defences, British-built RAF Typhoons touched down in Poland on Tuesday, marking the start of a landmark air policing mission alongside Sweden’s Gripen fighters.
This deployment, the first of its kind since Sweden joined the alliance in 2024, underscores a united European front against rising threats, particularly from an increasingly assertive Russia. The Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots, operating from Eastern Poland, will patrol the skies over NATO’s eastern flank, working hand-in-hand with their Swedish counterparts to safeguard Polish airspace.
The mission, which commenced on April 1st – the anniversary of the foundation of the RAF in 191,- was heralded by Defence Minister Lord Coaker during a meeting with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz and Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson. “The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO,” Lord Coaker declared, emphasising the urgency of collective action in the face of “growing Russian aggression.”
He hailed the operation as a testament to Britain’s ability to collaborate seamlessly with NATO’s newest member, Sweden, while deterring shared adversaries and reinforcing security across the alliance.
This latest deployment arrives at a pivotal moment for European security. NATO remains the bedrock of UK defence policy, and the Government has reaffirmed its “NATO first” approach, vowing to lead within the alliance. The six Typhoon jets, dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth’s II (AC) Squadron, build on a string of successful air policing missions in 2024.
Last April, Typhoons were stationed in Romania to guard NATO’s eastern border, followed by an August deployment of four F-35B jets to Iceland, securing the alliance’s northern reaches. Now, with Sweden’s Gripens in the mix, the RAF is extending its protective umbrella over Poland, a key ally and fellow staunch supporter of Ukraine.
Poland’s strategic importance to the UK cannot be overstated.
A vital partner in the European Group of Five (E5) and a fellow NATO heavyweight, Poland has joined Britain in championing increased defence spending across the continent.
This shared resolve was underscored in last week’s Spring Statement, where the Chancellor unveiled an additional £2.2 billion for defence in 2025/26. This injection follows the Government’s pledge to achieve a 2.5% GDP defence spend by April 2027—the largest sustained increase since the Cold War—with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.
Such commitments reflect the UK Government’s mantra that national security is its foremost priority, underpinning its broader “Plan for Change.”
The timing of this mission is no coincidence. As European NATO allies ramp up their defence budgets and coordination, the alliance is sending a clear message to potential aggressors. Lord Coaker framed the operation as a dual-purpose endeavour: keeping Britain “secure at home and strong abroad” while supporting the Government’s five core missions.
The RAF’s Typhoons and Voyagers, already a fixture in UK airspace through the Quick Reaction Alert Force, exemplify this resolve, standing ready 24/7 from bases at Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton.
For Sweden, this mission marks a historic step. Having joined NATO just last year, its participation in air policing on Polish soil signals a rapid integration into the alliance’s operational framework. The Gripen jets, renowned for their agility and versatility, complement the Typhoons’ raw power, creating a formidable deterrent over Eastern Europe.
As tensions simmer along NATO’s eastern frontier, this Anglo-Swedish partnership offers a glimpse of the alliance’s future—dynamic, united, and unflinching. With Russia’s shadow looming large, the skies above Poland are now a frontline in the defence of European values.
For Britain, it’s another chapter in a proud legacy of leadership within NATO, ensuring that the nation remains a bulwark of stability in an uncertain world.
Image: SAC Ash Reynolds, http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/fwbin/download.dll/45153802.jpg
