This week, two Royal Air Force Typhoons were scrambled three times in three days, from Malbork Air Base, to intercept unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and close to NATO airspace.
On Tuesday 15 April 2025, the Malbork based Typhoons were scrambled twice by NATO. First to intercept and identify Ilyushin Il-20M, as they left Kaliningrad air space. Then later in the same day they were again scrambled to intercept two SU-30SM2 aircraft as they left Kaliningrad air space. Known by the NATO code name FLANKER-H, it is a two-seater air superiority fighter aircraft.
On Thursday 17 April 2025, two Typhoons were scramble for the third time in three days to intercept and identify an unknown aircraft close to NATO air space over the Baltic Sea. The unknown aircraft was an Ilyushin Il-20M. Known by its NATO code name Coot-A, the aircraft is a Communication and Electronic Signals Intelligence Surveillance-Reconnaissance aircraft.
Aircrew from No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), are currently conducting Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) when they were scrambled.
“Today was the third time in three days that NATO have scrambled RAF assets at Malbork, today’s mission was to intercept and identify the unknown aircraft departing Kaliningrad air space. It was not communicating, so once intercepted we shadowed the aircraft to protect civilian air traffic in the immediate area.”
EAW spokesperson
Operation Chessman is the UK contingent delivering the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission. RAF personnel are currently deployed at Malbork Airbase, and are under the command of 140 EAW. The Operation sees personnel from across the RAF deployed to Malbork alongside NATO's newest member, Sweden.
