British and German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters intercept Russian planes near NATO borders
This week, British and German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters conducted their first joint mission within NATO. They were patrolling Estonian airspace.
Here's What We Know
Two Eurofighter Typhoons were put on alert after a Russian aircraft approached Estonian airspace. The UK Royal Air Force pilot said they had managed to identify the Russian aircraft.
The Russian IL-78 refuelling plane was flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. It did not communicate with air traffic controllers in Estonia. Later, German and British Typhoon fighters were dispatched to intercept the Russian An-148, which also approached Baltic airspace.
Aircraft from the British Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe of the Bundeswehr conduct joint NATO air policing operations in the region. For four months from April 2023, the RAF will lead the mission. Four Eurofighter Typhoon fighters have been sent to Estonia for this purpose.