The Royal Air Force intercepted 50 Russian fighter jets while defending the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s eastern flank, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.
British airmen were tasked with defending the Baltic skies and intercepting Vladimir Putin’s personnel during a four-month period.
RAF Typhoons, which were based in Estonia, spent more than 500 hours protecting the eastern flank.
Personnel were tasked with policing the area amid Vladimir Putin’s invasion of nearby Ukraine.
An RAF fighter jet followed by two USAF F-22 Raptors
MOD
Members of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and a squadron of RAF Typhoon fighter jets have since returned to the United Kingdom.
The airmen were conducting “Quick Reaction Alert” intercepts when made aware about potential threats near Nato’s airspace.
Personnel from 140 EAW were scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft which did not liaise with Nato-controlled regional air traffic agencies and did not file flight plans.
Air Marshal Harv Smyth, the Air and Space Commander, said: “The RAF is committed to its role within Nato of collective defence, to ensure the strength and unity of the alliance and to deter and defend against threats to Nato security.
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An image of an RAF fighter jet
MOD
“While in Estonia, 140 EAW has excelled, participating in 12 major Nato and Joint Expeditionary Force exercises in addition to the air policing role.”
British airmen flew alongside pilots from the German Air Force in the first stage of the “Op Azotize” deployment.
Anglo-German pilots even pulled off Nato’s first-ever joint air intercept in March.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace championed the RAF’s efforts along Estonia’s 183-mile border with Russia.
Ben WallacePAWallace, who will leave the Ministry of Defence following Rishi Sunak’s imminent reshuffle, said: “Hundreds of RAF pilots and personnel have spent months away from their families, working round-the-clock alongside our allies to keep Europe’s skies safe.
“The UK’s successful leadership of Nato's air policing mission in Estonia, resulting in the interception of dozens of Russian aircraft by the RAF, sends a strong message to Putin that we stand united with our allies against any threat to our borders.”
The RAF played a central role in the largest Nato deployment exercise since the Cold War.
The defence bloc had over 250 aircraft and 10,000 personnel from 25 member states and partner nations participating in the aerial war games.
Around a thousand British Army soldiers remain stationed at Tapa Army Base in the former Soviet state.
