The mission not only provided valuable intelligence data, but also “sent a powerful signal of NATO unity to Putin and our opponents”.
Two modern intelligence aircraft in the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom recently carried a 12 -hour flight along the Eastern flank of NATO, patrolling Russia‘s borders. This was announced by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom. The RC-135 Rivet Joint of the radio electronic intelligence aircraft and P-8A Poseidon made nearly 10,000 miles of flights from the Northern Polar region along the Russian borders, flying close to Belarus and Ukraine.
The mission focused on the “demonstration of” UK operational readiness and NATO collective determination “was carried out after several Russian unmanned aircraft and aircraft invasions in the Alliance’s airspace in the last month, the statement said. The operation was supported by the US Air Force Air Force aircraft KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th air refueling wing, which allowed the UK aircraft to be expanded.
UK Defense Minister John Hillie announced that the mission not only provided valuable intelligence data, but also “sent a strong signal of NATO’s unity to Putin and our opponents.” Group captain tosses D’Onin, Commander of the Royal Air Force Intelligence, emphasized the Alliance’s ability to “cooperate constantly”.
The RC-135 Rivet Joint is designed to listen to military negotiations and signals in the electromagnetic spectrum, while the P-8A Poseidon specializes in the anti-submarine fight and is able to carry torpedo and anti-ship missiles. During the mission, aircraft coordinated activities with NATO allies, providing a comprehensive sense of the situation.
The operation was carried out in the background of series incidents with violations of airspace of NATO countries from Russian aircraft. In September, about twenty Russian unmanned aircraft entered the Polish airspace, while three Mig-31 destroyers crossed the Estonian border.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the US representative at the UN Security Council, Mike Volcs, then confirmed that the Alliance would protect “every inch” their territory. US President Donald Trump called on NATO countries to hit Russian military aircraft that violate the Alliance’s airspace.
- In October, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that describes Russia’s actions as a terrorist state and allows “the actions necessary for the effective fight against Russian -run drones and airplanes until they were shot.”
