“The initial combat sortie for EF-2000 fighter jets based in Malbork as part of aerial surveillance duties,” reports the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces’ profile on X. During these missions, the squadrons encountered a Russian Il-20M spy plane.
In support of the air policing mission, military aviation units from Sweden, the UK, and Portugal deployed to Poland. These planes based in Malbork are crucial for NATO’s defensive plans. Air policing serves as a peacekeeping effort designed to safeguard the aerial boundaries of alliance countries.
During the operation, the pilots and crew remain perpetually ready (that is, available around the clock, every day of the year). They have to be set for an immediate response should there be a possible breach of the airspace belonging to NATO nations.
Allied fighters in Malbork
In Malbork, Swedish JAS 39 Gripens were also present. These single-engine jets feature an unconventional canard design and are equipped with a Volvo RM12 engine, enabling them to achieve speeds up to around 1,491 mph. Designed for operations from limited runway spaces, they can operate effectively even on portions of road runways within airbases.
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In addition to the Swedish Gripen jets, EF-2000 Typhoons have also landed in Malbork. As reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, these planes have now successfully carried out their initial combat operation.
British Typhoons in Poland
The Eurofighter Typhoon emerged from a partnership involving four nations: Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. Although conceived during the Cold War era, this aircraft entered operational service in 2003 and has received multiple enhancements over time. With twin-engine propulsion, it can achieve speeds above 1,491 miles per hour. The plane’s design includes an aerodynamically efficient canard configuration along with a fly-by-wire control system, making it one of the more nimble fourth-generation fighters available today. Equipped with cutting-edge avionics and outfitted initially with the Captor-M radar followed by the upgraded Captor-E AESA version in later models, the Eurofighter excels in engagements across various ranges.
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The Eurofighter Typhoon has an extensive array of weaponry, featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. It can carry short-range missiles like the IRIS-T and AIM-9X Sidewinder, along with medium and long-range options such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and Meteor. To target ground-based threats, the aircraft employs Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and Brimstone rockets. An essential part of its armament includes the Mauser BK-27 gun, which has a caliber of 27 millimeters.
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