The jets took off shortly before 08:00 local time in response to a Russian military plane “not adhering to international safety norms,” Allied Air Command wrote on X.
The call‑out marked the inaugural alert for the latest NATO air‑policing detachments in Poland and Estonia since they assumed duty earlier this year.
RAF Typhoons are currently based at Malbork airbase in northern Poland, while Portuguese F‑16s operate out of Ämari airbase in north‑western Estonia. Both contingents support NATO’s 24‑hour mission to safeguard Baltic airspace, where intercepts of Russian aircraft are a frequent occurrence.
Swedish Gripens to join Polish deployment
Separately, Sweden’s parliament has approved the temporary deployment of up to eight Gripen fighters to Poland as part of NATO’s regional air‑defense effort, Polish outlet Gazeta.pl reported.
The Swedish contingent, capped at 150 personnel, will operate from May 1 to Aug. 31, providing additional cover for Alliance airspace and supporting military and humanitarian logistics to Ukraine.
Allied aircraft escort or shadow Russian planes when they fly without flight plans or fail to communicate with air‑traffic controllers, tasks NATO says are vital to prevent accidents in the congested Baltic corridor.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24