UK SAYS IT REMAINS AGILE AND READY
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said the British jets joined allies along NATO’s eastern flank, adding: “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
The UK government has promised to boost defence spending to 2.6 per cent of GDP by April 2027, in a signal to US President Donald Trump that Britain can help boost Europe’s security.
Trump has criticised European nations for not spending enough on defence and relying instead on the United States.
The UK mission over Poland also comes amid heightened tensions elsewhere in Europe, with NATO-member Estonia saying on Friday that three Russian military jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes in an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion.
Healey condemned that on Friday, saying Russia’s “latest reckless and dangerous activity is the third violation of NATO airspace in recent days”.
Russia’s defence ministry denied its jets violated Estonian airspace, saying they flew over neutral waters.
