Norwegian F-35 to arrive in Poland to counter Kremlin provocations
Second joint fighter mission this year (photo: Getty Images)
Norwegian F-35 fighter jets are scheduled to arrive in Poland today for joint airspace patrols, with Polish and Dutch aircraft also participating in the mission, according to RFM24.
The F-35 aircraft will land at Poznań-Krzesiny Airport, where the 31st Tactical Air Base is located. Additional F-35s will join them at the end of the month.
This is already the second such mission with Norwegian F-35s in Poland this year. The previous one began in January and lasted until the summer.
Purpose of the F-35 deployment in Poland
The Norwegian government emphasizes that the mission's primary goal is to protect the eastern flank of the Alliance and deter potential threats.
The pilots will be ready to intercept Russian aircraft and drones in the event of a violation of Polish airspace. The decision to use weapons is made by NATO command on a case-by-case basis.
Oslo states that the very presence of the F-35s in Poland will be a "deterrent factor for Moscow" and is expected to reduce the risk of provocations.
A similar position was expressed a few days ago in Warsaw by Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik. He noted that the fighters are one of the tools of the Alliance's monitoring and deterrence system.
Poland awaits its own F-35s
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated, while commenting on the Norwegian mission, that Poland is awaiting its own F-35s. The first two aircraft are already in service with the Air Force.
Until these aircraft become fully operational, allied support plays a key role.
How NATO explains the mission
The Alliance says that allied patrol missions are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the security of countries bordering Russia.
NATO command emphasizes that in recent months, the number of air forces deployed on the eastern flank has increased significantly and that such missions have both operational and political significance.
"They signal NATO's unity and determination in the face of threats from the Kremlin," the bloc states.
Norway sent F-35 fighter jets to Poland to strengthen NATO's air defense on the eastern flank.
The need for patrols in the EU and particularly in Poland arose after numerous drone incursions into EU countries.
On September 10, Russian drones entered Polish airspace. In response, standby aircraft were scrambled, several drones were shot down, and the government convened an emergency meeting the next morning to take action.
