The United Kingdom has announced the deployment of Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets to defend Polish airspace, joining other NATO allies in a concerted effort to bolster the alliance's eastern flank. This decisive move comes in response to a significant incursion of 19 Russian drones into Polish territory last week, an incident that has significantly heightened tensions across Europe and been described as the most serious of its kind since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that RAF Typhoon jets will undertake air defence missions over Poland as part of NATO's newly established Operation Eastern Sentry. These British fighters, operating from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and supported by RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, are expected to commence missions within days. They will integrate with a multinational force comprising Danish F-16s, French Rafales, and German Eurofighters, reinforcing existing Dutch F-35s and Polish F-16s already active in the region. Healey emphasized, "The message to Moscow is clear. Putin tested Nato, Nato responded with unity, and the UK will play our full part. When we are threatened, we respond together," labelling Russia's actions as "reckless, dangerous, and unprecedented."

The drone incursion into Poland, though involving Gerbera 'decoy' drones and resulting in no casualties, prompted Poland to invoke NATO's Article 4, allowing member countries to discuss security concerns with the North Atlantic Council. Following these talks on September 10, NATO confirmed its commitment to strengthening defences on its eastern border. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer underscored the importance of the Typhoons' participation in Eastern Sentry, calling it "vital in deterring aggression, securing NATO airspace, and protecting our national security and that of our allies."

Beyond Poland, regional security challenges persist. Romania, another NATO member, reported a Russian drone breach of its airspace on Sunday, adding to concerns about Black Sea security. While Romanian fighter jets monitored the drone near Ukraine's southern border, it ultimately disappeared from radar without posing an imminent danger. These repeated incidents highlight an ongoing pattern of Russian actions testing the air defences of neighbouring countries.

The effectiveness of Western air defences has also come under scrutiny, with reports indicating that only three or four of the 19 drones that entered Poland were shot down. In response, NATO's military commander called for an increase in available fighter jets for air policing duties. General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's most senior military chief, stated that the alliance is "bringing additional resources to bear" in this effort. Notably, the United States has not announced additional commitments, aligning with previous statements from former officials suggesting that European NATO members are expected to shoulder more responsibility for continental defence, allowing the US to focus on the Indo-Pacific and homeland security.

Despite the lack of firm confirmation regarding Russia's intent behind the drone incursion, Defence Secretary Healey reiterated that the act was inherently "reckless" and "dangerous," characterizing it as "straight out of the [Vladimir] Putin playbook." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the situation as "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two," underscoring the gravity of the current geopolitical climate. The UK's deployment, supported by 400 military personnel, is not merely a symbolic gesture but a significant operation forming part of a much larger NATO exercise designed to safeguard the alliance's eastern flank against evolving threats.