First Such Joint Mission as Handover Approaches

RAF and Luftwaffe Typhoons have conducted the first joint NATO Air Policing interception, of a Russian IL-78 Midas tanker operating close to Estonian airspace and failing to communicate with air traffic control, the MoD in London revealed on 15 March.

The interception itself is a routine NATO mission, but this particular sortie marks the first such joint British/German mission. British Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, commented “NATO continues to form the bedrock of our collective security. This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to NATO’s borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength”.

The Royal Air Force is deployed on Operation Azotize in Estonia to conduct the long-established NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.  During March the mission is being led by the German Air Force, before handing over to the RAF.  Joint missions will be flow till the end of April.