RAMSTEIN, Germany – Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons, operating as part of NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission from Malbork Air Base in Poland, were scrambled on several occasions prior to Easter to intercept aircraft operating near NATO airspace.
On April 15, 2025, the RAF Typhoons were scrambled twice under NATO authority. The first, to identify and intercept a Russian Coot-A (Il-20M) aircraft as it departed from Kaliningrad airspace. The second time, the jets were scrambled to intercept two FLANKER-H (Su-30S) aircraft also leaving Kaliningrad airspace.
The third scramble occurred on April 17, 2025, when the RAF Typhoons were tasked to intercept an unknown aircraft flying near NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea. This aircraft was subsequently identified as a Coot-A.
Intercepts such as these highlight the importance of NATO's Air Policing mission. The ability to detect, intercept, and monitor potential threats is crucial for maintaining security and stability in the Baltic region, as demonstrated by this enhanced Air Policing mission, and throughout NATO airspace under its broader Air Policing activities.
Typhoons from II (Army Cooperation) Squadron, Lossiemouth, deployed to Malbork for NATOs enhanced Air Policing Mission. Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force Typhoons scrambled to intercept aircraft operating near to NATO airspace. Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force
Enhanced Air Policing is part of NATO’s Assurance Measures demonstrating the collective resolve of Allied Air Forces. Photo courtesy of the Royal Air Force
The II (Army Cooperation) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth has been deployed to Malbork, Poland, on NATO’s eAP mission since April 1, 2025. This deployment follows a previous deployment to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, in 2024, and underscores the UK’s unwavering commitment to NATO’s collective defence and the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.
“Today was the third time in three days that NATO scrambled RAF assets at Malbork. Today’s mission was to intercept and identify the unknown aircraft departing Kaliningrad air space. It was not communicating, so once intercepted we shadowed the aircraft to protect civilian air traffic in the immediate area,” stated an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) spokesperson.
During this deployment, the British Eurofighters are augmented by a detachment of Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft. This marks the first time that Swedish combat aircraft have participated in air policing operations from the territory of another Ally, and the first time that Swedish combat aircraft have taken part in NATO’s enhanced Air Policing under NATO command since Sweden's accession to the Alliance in 2024.
Enhanced Air Policing is part of NATO’s Assurance Measures, introduced in 2014 following Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The Alliance implemented these Assurance Measures to demonstrate the collective resolve of Allies, the defensive nature of NATO, and to deter Russia from aggression or the threat of aggression. It involves the continuous presence and readiness of fighter aircraft, which can be scrambled to respond to potential losses of communication, airspace violations, or activities that do not comply with international aviation law.