NATO strengthens eastern flank with fighter jets in Poland
Allied fighter jets are arriving in Malbork as part of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission. On Tuesday, 25th March, British Eurofighter Typhoons arrived in Poland, and on Wednesday, Swedish JAS 39 Gripens are scheduled to arrive. In the coming months, these aircraft will focus on maintaining the security of the airspace over the eastern flank of the Alliance.
The Air Policing mission, a key component of NATO's defence strategy, is a peacekeeping operation aimed at protecting the integrity of member states' airspace. It involves continuous, round-the-clock readiness of fighters and crews, prepared to respond quickly to potential airspace violations. This is common for allied countries, especially those within the reach of Russian aircraft.
NATO protects its airspace
At the end of 2023, the NATO Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office issued a statement noting that throughout 2023, NATO air forces in Europe conducted over 300 interceptions of Russian aircraft. Most notably, these occurred over the Baltic Sea, where since 2004, the Air Policing subprogramme, called Baltic Air Policing, has been dedicated to protecting the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These countries do not have fighters capable of defending their airspace.
The Polish Air Force regularly participates in Baltic Air Policing missions, patrolling the sky over the Baltic states. Additionally, allied fighters arrive at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, supporting NATO efforts on the eastern flank under another subprogramme – Enhanced Air Policing.
This initiative is NATO's response to the growing threat from Russia following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. It includes the Baltic countries, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. As part of Enhanced Air Policing, the Alliance rotates additional fighters in eastern flank countries, where they perform combat duty. The fighters are stationed in Malbork, Ämari, Šiauliai, Graf Ignatievo, and Mihail Kogălniceanu, where they can quickly respond to airspace violation incidents.
It is worth noting that the aircraft and pilots tasked with Air Policing missions remain at "RS-15" readiness (Readiness State RS-15). In practice, this means they are ready to take off within 15 minutes of receiving an order to participate in a specific air operation.
NATO fighters in Poland
On Tuesday, 25th March, British Eurofighter Typhoon fighters arrived in Poland, and on Wednesday, 26th March, Swedish JAS 39 Gripens are expected to arrive. Notably, in March 2025, Sweden, as a new NATO member, proposed sending up to eight JAS Gripen fighters to Poland, marking the first time these aircraft will be stationed in another Alliance country’s territory. Pål Jonson, Sweden's defence minister, announced that the Gripens' tasks will include protecting NATO's logistical support for Ukraine and air surveillance over Poland.
The JAS 39 Gripen is Sweden's answer to the need for a versatile, lightweight fighter that is economical to operate yet capable of functioning in the challenging conditions of the Scandinavian operational area. The Gripen is a single-seat aircraft with a canard configuration. It is powered by one Volvo RM12 engine, a modified version of the General Electric F404. It can reach a maximum speed of about 2,448 km/h and can take off from short runways, including so-called Road Runway Sections.
The Swedish fighter can carry various armaments, including AIM-9 Sidewinder, IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and Meteor air-to-air missiles. For attacking ground targets, it uses GBU-12 Paveway guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and KEPD 350 Taurus cruise missiles. It is typically equipped with a Mauser BK-27 cannon.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a collaborative effort by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. Its design dates back to the Cold War period, but it has undergone numerous upgrades since entering service in 2003. The twin-engine fighter reaches a maximum speed of over 2,448 km/h, and thanks to its canard aerodynamic layout and fly-by-wire control, it is one of the most agile fourth-generation aircraft. With advanced avionics and a Captor-M radar (and in newer versions, Captor-E AESA), the Eurofighter can effectively engage in both close combat and long-distance battles.
Its armaments include various air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The Eurofighter Typhoon can carry short-range IRIS-T or AIM-9X Sidewinders and medium and long-range AIM-120 AMRAAM and Meteor missiles. For ground target destruction, it uses Paveway IV guided bombs, Storm Shadows, and Brimstone missiles. Its primary weapon is a 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon.
