Particle.news
Download on the App Store
6 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

RAF Typhoons Complete First Intercepts Under NATO's Operation Chessman

UK fighter jets scrambled twice last week from Poland to intercept Russian aircraft near NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Image
A British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft flies at RAF Coningsby on May 16, 2023 in Coningsby, England.

Overview

  • Two RAF Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M intelligence aircraft on Tuesday and an unidentified aircraft near Kaliningrad on Thursday.
  • These scrambles marked the first operational intercepts by the RAF under NATO's recently launched Operation Chessman.
  • The UK has deployed six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel to Malbork Air Base in Poland to strengthen NATO’s eastern air defenses.
  • The operation involves close collaboration with Sweden, NATO's newest member, whose Gripen fighter jets are also stationed at the base.
  • Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized the UK’s unwavering commitment to NATO and its ability to defend alliance airspace alongside allies.