Polish F‑16s intercept a Russian spy plane over the Baltic Sea
The Operational Command reports the interception on Monday, 12 August, of a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft by two Polish F-16 fighter jets on standby. The Il-20 was conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea.
The Russian Federation’s armed forces frequently fly over the Baltic Sea and other areas. In March this year, French Mirage 2000 fighters intercepted two Russian Su-30Ms. NATO aircraft also approached an Antonov An-72 transport aircraft travelling in international airspace north of Poland accompanied by the Su-30.
Polish F-16s intercept Russian Il-20
According to the Operational Command on platform X, this situation has recurred as a pair of Polish F-16 fighter jets on standby identified and intercepted the Russian Ilyushin Il-20 on Monday, 12 August. The communiqué stated that the Russian intelligence aircraft was on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace without violating Polish territorial waters.
"Every day, pilots of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland remain vigilant and ready to protect Polish skies," added the Operational Command on X. NATO aircraft frequently patrol near the Baltic Sea, including Polish Saab 340 AEW&C early warning aircraft.
The Il-20, targeted by the Polish F-16s, is a regularly identified intelligence aircraft near our territory. Developed from the passenger Ilyushin Il-18D, it has been significantly modified to meet military requirements.
Russian reconnaissance aircraft
The USSR authorities commissioned the construction of such an aircraft to conduct reconnaissance from a safe distance. The Il-20 facilitates electronic reconnaissance, including the detection and interception of communication sources, and is capable of gathering imaging intelligence. These features enable allied units to locate potential adversaries' ground systems accurately.
The pair of standby F-16s were dispatched towards the Baltic Sea to intercept the Il-20, which is equipped with AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles. The missiles have a range of nearly 400 kilometres. The fighters can reach speeds of Mach 2, which is over 2,000 kilometres per hour and operate at altitudes exceeding 15,000 metres.
In standard configuration, they can cover 3,200 kilometres on a single tank of fuel, which increases to 4,200 kilometres with additional fuel tanks. Alongside the AGM-158 missiles, the F-16s are armed with the standard M61 Vulcan 20mm aircraft gun.
