Raf typhoons intercept russian aircraft near estonia

News story RAF TYPHOONS INTERCEPT RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT NEAR ESTONIA RAF Typhoon jets operating as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission have intercepted Russian military aircraft near

Baltic airspace. This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government The jets, which deployed to the region on 1 May, identified and escorted a Russian reconnaissance

aircraft which was flying in international airspace earlier today. The aircraft was monitored and later departed the area. The interception comes as 175 UK personnel and two other RAF jets

have joined Estonia’s largest military exercise, as part of NATO assurances to Baltic states. During Exercise Steadfast Javelin (Siil in Estonian) this week, 13,000 troops and reserves are

defending positions against a simulated attack by land and air. The national exercise has been linked to NATO, and includes participants from the US, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Holland and

Latvia. The UK is the second largest contributing nation, with 120 soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, taking part. A further 55 RAF personnel are supporting two Hawk jets,

which are providing air support alongside US A-10 “tank buster” aircraft. British soldiers are playing the part of attacking forces, partnered with a similar sized US Army unit and working

as part of an Estonian infantry brigade. The participation of UK personnel in Exercise Siil will help to develop the Estonian military’s capabilities in deploying, supporting, and fighting

with a large infantry force, as well as further improving the interoperability of British and NATO units. Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon said: > Air interceptions like 

this underline the vital importance of the > UK’s contribution to the Baltic Air Policing mission. The UK’s > role in the protection of NATO airspace and the involvement of our > 

personnel in the Estonian exercise currently taking place > demonstrate our commitment to NATO’s collective defence and the > value of our Armed Forces’ expertise in improving the 

military > capabilities of our allies. Four RAF Typhoons recently deployed to Amari airbase in Estonia as part of NATO’s Baltic air policing mission. The Typhoons are operating alongside

Norwegian aircraft between May and August 2015, working to secure NATO’s airspace over the Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania which do not have their own air defence fighters.

The UK’s contributions to NATO Assurance Measures are designed to reassure Allies that the UK takes its collective defence obligations seriously, while improving coordination between NATO

nations and partners through education and training, increased exercises, and better use of technology. SHARE THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab * Share on Facebook (opens in

new tab) * Share on Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 12 May 2015