Norway sent F-35 fighter jets to Poland to protect its border with Russia
Photo: Poland receives air defense reinforcement (Getty Images)
Norway has sent F-35 fighter jets to Poland to strengthen NATO’s air defense on the eastern flank. The aircraft will be ready to intercept Russian drones and planes in case of violations of Polish airspace, according to Polskie Radio24.
Norwegian F-35 fighters will begin their NATO air defense mission this month. The pilots will shoot down Russian drones and planes if they cross the border, although the final decision on the use of such weapons will remain with the Alliance’s command.
The Norwegian government announced that Norwegian pilots, who will be stationed near Poznań starting in October, will be ready to shoot down Russian drones and planes if they violate Polish airspace.
"The North Atlantic Alliance has issued a warning to Russia not to escalate the situation. Our mission in Poland, however, will primarily consist in protecting NATO territory from air threats. We will be ready to intercept objects that violate Polish airspace," said Deputy Minister of Defense of Norway Andreas Flaam in a statement to the Polish Press Agency.
He explained that the Commander of NATO’s Joint Forces in Europe will make decisions on appropriate measures in each specific situation.
The NATO command has at its disposal numerous tools to prevent air provocations.
"We have strengthened surveillance and deterrence on the eastern flank of the Alliance. The military presence of the allies in countries bordering Russia has significantly increased," the deputy minister added.
Drone attack on Poland
Previously, on the night of September 10, about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, most of them from the territory of Belarus.
Air defense forces shot down four drones, while the rest fell or were detected in 11 localities, including one on the territory of a military base.
According to media reports, some of the drones may have been directed at a NATO base in Poland. In response, the Alliance invoked Article 4, which allows member states to discuss the situation within the North Atlantic Council.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the Alliance’s actions "very successful," emphasizing the readiness to defend every inch of territory, including airspace.
Meanwhile, on September 13, NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry in Poland to strengthen the defense of Europe’s eastern flank in response to the incursion of Russian drones into Polish airspace.
