RAF Typhoons join NATO policing mission in the Baltic

Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons have joined a Nato policing mission to deter threats over the Baltic states.

Four jets, flying from the Amari airbase in Estonia, will join the NATO Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission until the end of August.

The Typhoons, alongside pilots and engineers, will be on 24/7 stand by to provide security to the airspace over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and respond to any aggression from Russia or other neighbouring states.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “This deployment underlines our commitment to the sovereignty of the democratic nations of Eastern Europe.

“24 hours a day, seven days a week for the next four months, our RAF Typhoons will be ready to respond instantly to Russian aggression in Baltic airspace.”

Wing commander Gordon Melville, commanding officer of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF, said: “I am very proud to be leading 140 Expeditionary Air Wing as we again provide air policing support to our Estonian NATO allies.

“Although we are all far from our families and friends while over here, our hosts have given us a warm welcome and we are looking forward to working with them over the next four months.”