"There are already Typhoon fighters of the Royal Air Force in Poland," Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on X. "British pilots, together with our F-16 pilots, will patrol Polish airspace. This is the result of my talks with the British Minister of National Defence. Together we care for safety!"
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the deployment, saying that the Typhoons were sent to Poland "in response to a request from our Polish friends" to support NATO's eastern flank.
"Deploying ahead of Poland's elections, they will be a very powerful way of undeniably showing Putin that this Conservative Government will protect democracy and freedom from any despotic tyrant that threatens our allies," Shapps said.
The Typhoons are expected to remain in Poland for several weeks and will join other NATO aircraft in patrolling the country's airspace.
The deployment comes as Russia continues to amass troops on Ukraine's borders, raising concerns about a possible further invasion.
The deployment of British Typhoons to Poland is a significant show of support for NATO and for Poland in particular. It is also a clear signal to Russia that NATO is prepared to defend its eastern flank.
The Typhoons are highly capable aircraft that can be used in a variety of roles, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and air defense. Their deployment to Poland will help to deter Russia from any further aggression against Ukraine or its neighbors. (ILKHA)