The RAF is Supporting NATO Operation Baltic Sentry with Aircraft
On January 22, 2025, the British government announced that the Royal Air Force (RAF) will deploy RC-135 Rivet Joint and P-8 Poseidon aircraft from the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force to help secure NATO’s critical undersea infrastructure (CUI) in the Baltic Sea. NATO allies are converging on the Gulf of Finland as part of the Baltic Sentry operation to monitor and prevent potential sabotage efforts.
Escalation of NATO-Russia Tensions Triggers Deployment
The need for this deployment arose after the Estlink 2 undersea cable between Estonia and Finland was damaged on December 25, 2024, by the tanker Eagle S, reportedly a part of Russia’s shadow fleet, aimed at bypassing international sanctions. This incident follows earlier provocative actions by the Russian intelligence vessel Yantar in November 2024, which was monitoring areas near British undersea infrastructure. These events have significantly heightened tensions and led to direct British involvement in the NATO mission.
In a statement to the British Parliament, Defence Secretary John Healey made it clear that Russia’s actions will not go unnoticed. He stressed, “We see you, we know what you’re doing and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.” The Ministry of Defence (MOD) further emphasized the importance of monitoring for Russian counterfeit activities, stating, “Alongside our Joint Expeditionary Force and NATO allies, we are strengthening our response to ensure that Russian ships and aircraft cannot operate in secrecy near UK or NATO territory.”
Introducing Nordic Warden
To bolster security, NATO has activated Nordic Warden, an AI-driven system designed to assess the threat level of vessels operating near European CUI. This system uses data from Automatic Identification System (AIS) and other sources to prioritize mission-critical assets. Nordic Warden operates alongside RAF aircraft, ensuring efficient tasking and avoiding unnecessary risks.
NATO has announced operation BALTIC SENTRY, a large naval deployment into the Gulf of Finland to protect undersea cables and other infrastructure from Russian sabotage.
Baltic Sentry will include the deployment of NATO warships from SNMG1 and SNMCMG1. pic.twitter.com/6bcV32JH8R— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 15, 2025
Estlink 2 Sabotage Case Study
On December 25, 2024, the Russian vessel Eagle S was deployed near the Estlink 2 cables, anchoring and dragging the cables across the seabed, causing significant damage. The damage prevented crucial electricity supply between Estonia and Finland. Finnish authorities—Police, Border Guards, and Coast Guard—boarded the vessel with support from a Finnish Border Guard Air Patrol Squadron H215 Super Puma.
The boarding team discovered the vessel was equipped with special transmitting and receiving devices used to monitor naval activity, as initially reported by Lloyd’s List.
The RAF’s RC-135 Rivet Joint Mission
The RAF’s RC-135 Rivet Joint, often referred to as Airseeker, is a critical signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft essential to the ISTAR Force. These aircraft are deployed for real-time intelligence gathering, analysis, and environmental monitoring. Deployed from RAF Waddington by No 51 and No 54 squadrons, the Rivet Joint plays a vital role in NATO operations.
The Rivet Joint is equipped with advanced sensors that collect electronic emissions from communications and radars, analyze them on board, and provide intelligence to various partners. Initially aKC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft was converted to the Rivet Joint model in the 1960s and has played a crucial role in intelligence missions around the world, from Vietnam to Libya.
The RAF’s P-8 Poseidon MRA1: The Maritime Patrol King
The P-8 Poseidon MRA1, derived from the Boeing 737 Next Generation, is another essential aircraft in the RAF’s maritime patrol fleet. Deployed by No 120 and No 201 Squadrons, this versatile aircraft is equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors and systems for anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The Poseidon MRA1 is equipped with an APY-10 radar, advanced acoustic sensor systems, and electronic support measures, making it uniquely suited for monitoring Russian submarines and surface ships in the Baltic Sea.
Recently a P-8A Poseidon from @RAFLossiemouth tracked a Russian landing ship, the RFN Aleksandr Shabalin, through the English Channel.
The RAF conducts maritime patrolling around the clock to protect our seas and successfully deterring our adversaries remains an RAF priority. pic.twitter.com/Ehujp7VcLV— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) January 16, 2025
Undersea Threats and the Rising Tone of the War
The Baltic Sentry operation highlights the growing threat of undersea sabotage across Europe. The Estlink 2 incident and other cable damages underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been actively tracking Russian vessels like Yantar in both the Baltic Sea and English Channel, strengthening deterrence.
