NATO's air command announced that for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Norwegian F-35 fighter jets were scrambled in Poland due to a Russian threat.
Two Norwegian F-35 aircraft stationed in Poland were scrambled in response to a "large number of Russian aircraft" approaching Polish airspace, the “Reuters” agency confirmed.
This is the first time Norwegian fighter jets have been used in Polish airspace since they were sent there in December last year, the agency said.
NATO announced that such actions demonstrate the Alliance's commitment to protecting its allies in the eastern flank.
Norwegian fighters have been in Poland since December 2024. NASAMS air defense systems and F-35 fighters were deployed in Rzeszow, Poland, UNIAN agency reports. Their main mission is to protect the logistics center through which Western aid is sent to Ukraine. Along with the military equipment, about a hundred Norwegian soldiers were also deployed in Poland.
In a little over a month, it will be 3 years since the start of the full-scale war that Vladimir Putin started unprovoked against Ukraine. US President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office in three days, said that European NATO countries must drastically increase their military spending to be prepared for a possible future war.
Yesterday, two 🇳🇴 F-35s stationed in 🇵🇱 scrambled in response to a massive number of airborne 🇷🇺 aircraft
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) January 16, 2025
This is the first time the 🇳🇴 jets have scrambled in active air defence of Polish Airspace, demonstrating Allied commitment to NATO's eastern flank pic.twitter.com/jpcfhxOSsx