Two Norwegian F-35 fighters were scrambled on Wednesday to “defend Polish airspace,” the Allied Air Force Command reported on Thursday. As it was added, this was a response to the “large number of Russian units”.
“Yesterday, two Norwegian F-35s stationed in Poland were picked up in response to a large number of Russian air units,” Allied Air Force Command said in a post on the X platform.
“This is the first time that Norwegian fighters have been deployed to actively defend Polish airspace, which demonstrates the Alliance's commitment to NATO's eastern flank,” it wrote.
F-35 fighters from Norway in Poland
Norway last December, it committed to sending four F-35 fighters and air defense and anti-aircraft systems to Poland. 100 Norwegian soldiers are also to be stationed in Rzeszów, whose task is to support the forces ensuring the safety of equipment transported via this route. Ukraine.
On December 2 last year, the head of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, thanked Norway for its support via social media. “From December, the security of our borders will be further strengthened. Four Norwegian F35s, as well as their air and anti-aircraft defense systems, will protect our space and the eastern flank of NATO. We would like to thank our allies from Norway!” – the minister wrote then on X.
As the Norwegian side indicated in last year's announcement, the mission in Poland is carried out as part of… NATO and will last until Easter.
Main photo source: NATO Air Command