The UK has sent Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets to the border with Russia to practice air-to-air combat and destroy targets on the ground

The United Kingdom has deployed Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 fighters close to the Russian border. The aircraft, which were previously deployed in Eastern Europe, have moved to Finland.

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The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s took part in a military exercise called Joutsen Strike alongside the Finnish Air Force's American F/A-18 Hornet fighters. The event is aimed at practising air-to-air combat and engaging ground targets with Paveway IV precision aerial bombs.

A forward arming and refuelling point, known as FARP, has been set up at the Tampere military base. It allows bombs and missiles to be quickly loaded into the aircraft, and fuel to be replenished. Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s took off from the base, flew approximately 90 kilometres and successfully hit targets with Paveway IV bombs.

The British aircraft participated in manoeuvres with the F-18 Hornet. This element of the exercise demonstrated that UK Royal Air Force fighters can effectively engage and defeat an equal opponent.

The United Kingdom deployed the 140th Expeditionary Regiment to Eastern Europe to patrol Baltic airspace. During 19 sorties, Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s intercepted 50 Russian aircraft. Since 1 August, the mission has been led by Spain, which recently sent eight fighter jets to Estonia.

Source: RAF