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RAMSTEIN, Germany – Four Italian Eurofighters touched down at Malbork, Poland, on February 13 ready to take over from Italian F-35 jets and continue NATO’s enhanced Air Policing.

With the seamless takeover from our F-35 units, we proof Italy’s capability to support NATO with state-of-the art Air Policing assets on the eastern flank

“With the seamless takeover of the mission from our F-35 units, we proof Italy’s capability to support NATO with state-of-the art Air Policing assets on the eastern flank,” said Colonel Antonio Vergallo commander of Task Force Air 32° Wing and, in few days, Task Force Air 4° Wing that will ensure enhanced Air Policing out of Malbork. “We also underline the Italian Air Force’s versatility by operating the Eurofighters from a base that was used by F-35s in a deployed environment. True fifth generation fighter integration at work!” he added.

Four Italian Air Force Eurofighters landed at Malbork Air Base on February 13, 2024. Once settled in, they will take over the enhanced Air Policing mission from the predecessor F-35 detachment and fly alongside the Polish Air Force. Photo by Miroslaw Gawronski.

Fighter generations meeting at Malbork Air Base, Poland (from left to right): Italy's outgoing fifth-generation F-35 Lightning, the incoming Italian Eurofighter Typhoon and the Polish MiG-29 Fulcrum. All jets support NATO Air Policing. Photo courtesy Polish Air Force.

Since November, Italy had deployed a 150-strong Air Force detachment operating four of their F-35s to Malbork. Italy’s Eurofighters have arrived to continue NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission in Poland and will protect the skies at the eastern flank with Polish and other Allies’ fighter aircraft in the coming months.