British PM announces dispatch of fighters to Poland to strengthen air defense
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK (phoro: Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that as part of its support for Warsaw, London will send Typhoon fighter jets to Poland. These aircraft are intended to strengthen the defense of Polish airspace, according to PolskieRadio.
According to the head of the British government, the deployment of the fighters is planned for next year.
During his visit to Warsaw, Sunak noted that London intends to join in patrolling Polish skies.
"Air defense is crucial, and the UK wants to support Poland in this and cooperate closely with you," he said.
In addition, Sunak added that as part of the NATO Steadfast Defender exercises, which will last until the end of May, London will also send 16,000 British military personnel to Poland.
In the context of Russia's ongoing large-scale military aggression against Ukraine, Sunak noted that there is a great bond between Poland and the UK that builds security in the situation of the war in Ukraine.
"We are major military powers helping Ukraine. We have been helping Poland's neighbor for two years already. When it comes to our military assistance, I want to help even more," emphasized the British Prime Minister.
Sunak's visit to Poland and announcement of a new aid package for Ukraine
Earlier, it was reported that the head of the British government, Rishi Sunak, held meetings in Warsaw on April 23 with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, as well as with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
In Poland, Sunak also announced a £500 million (approximately $617 million) aid package for Ukraine and an increase in British defense spending to 2.5% of GDP.
Additionally, he stated that Britain would transition its defense spending to war footing. This decision was influenced by Russia's war against Ukraine.
It should be noted that during Russian occupiers' airstrikes on Ukrainian territory, Poland sometimes scrambles its military aircraft, including fighter jets, to ensure the security of its airspace. One such incident occurred on April 11.
