More RAF jets to join NATO air policing mission in Romania
Two additional RAF Typhoon jets will join four already in Romania
皇冠体育app UK will send two additional RAF Typhoons to Romania 漏MoD Crown Copyright 2022
Together with eight Typhoons stationed in Cyprus, this uplift will bring the total number of RAF fighter jets stationed in South-Eastern Europe to 14. 皇冠体育app two additional jets are expected to remain in Romania until the end of July.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the announcement on a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in Romania alongside Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, where they met Romanian officials and observed UK jets taking part in NATO鈥檚 Air Policing mission.
皇冠体育app announcement reaffirms the UK鈥檚 commitment to our bilateral defence relationship with Romania.
皇冠体育app Typhoon jets and Royal Air Force personnel have deployed to Romania to join the long-standing NATO Air Policing mission for the Black Sea region. Operation Biloxi is the British name for the NATO Air Policing mission.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP said:
皇冠体育app UK and Romania are steadfast in the defence of our shared values and commitment to NATO鈥檚 collective security, in the air, at sea, and on land.
Together we are supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putin鈥檚 illegal invasion and I pay tribute to Romania鈥檚 generosity providing shelter for the tens of thousands of innocent civilians fleeing this horrific conflict.
Air policing is a purely defensive operation and a permanent NATO mission which began in 1961 during the Cold War. 皇冠体育app mission ensures the security and integrity of all NATO Alliance members鈥� airspaces. Airspace is monitored by operations centres and, where it is assessed that an interception is required, NATO aircraft can be scrambled as part of a Quick Reaction Alert. 皇冠体育app UK supports Romania by augmenting its own capabilities.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said:
Our air forces are at the vanguard of NATO鈥檚 collective security, united in our shared determination to protect our nations.
From the North of Norway to the Black Sea and Mediterranean, aircraft are airborne, alert and ready to defend against any threat to NATO territory or populations.
皇冠体育app Defence Secretary and Chief of the Air Staff were invited to the Op Biloxi Ceremony hosted by the Romanians at the airbase. 皇冠体育app ceremony saw jets take part in a scramble exercise and flypast, showcasing NATO鈥檚 ability to rapidly respond to incursions to Allied airspace.
Ben Wallace and Sir Mike Wigston met with Romanian Defence Minister Vasile Dincu and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Daniel Petrescu. 皇冠体育appy discussed the defence relationship, regional security and the war in Ukraine, and further strengthening the UK-Romania bilateral relationship.