UK and Germany to unite for Nato flight missions in Estonia for first time

About 300 RAF personnel will soon arrive in Baltic state, Ministry of Defence says

Typhoon jets such as this one will take part in the missions in Estonia. PA

British and German pilots are set to conduct joint air policing missions in Estonia for the first time.

The UK is preparing to take over from Germany as leader of the Nato mission in Estonia, which borders Russia.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has praised the demonstration of Nato unity, in which Typhoon jets for the Royal Air Force and its German counterpart will take part in “integrated” missions.

The Ministry of Defence said about 300 RAF personnel would soon arrive in Estonia. The UK is to lead the Nato mission for four months from April.

The invasion of Ukraine has brought concerns in border states, including Estonia, about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions and his next steps.

Details of the new Nato mission come after Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas's comfortable win by a large majority in the general election on Sunday.

The politician, who has become popular at home and abroad for her unwavering support for Ukraine, outperformed polls.

Her victory provides a strong mandate for her pledge to maintain Estonia’s transatlantic course as a committed member of the EU and Nato.

“Our RAF personnel in Estonia are undertaking a vital role, ensuring the security of Europe’s skies and bolstering Nato’s presence in eastern Europe," Mr Wallace said.

“Joint operations of this kind demonstrate the strength and unity of the Nato alliance and our shared resolve to maintain peace and security across the region.”

A look at the Nato military alliance - in pictures

A solemn welcoming ceremony of US soldiers at Adazi military base, Latvia, on February 25, 2022. More than 300 soldiers of the 173rd Air Force Brigade arrived to demonstrate the US commitment to defend Nato allies and strengthen Latvia's defence capabilities following Russia's military operation in Ukraine. EPA

US paratroopers in Ukraine's western Lviv region during a Nato-sponsored training exercise in 2020. AP

A US military aircraft takes off at the US Air Base Ramstein, in Landstuhl, Germany, on February 25. US President Joe Biden February 24 authorised the deployment of further armed forces to Germany as part of Nato's response to Russia's military aggression on Ukraine. EPA

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on February 25. EPA

A convoy of British armoured vehicles of the Royal Welsh Battlegroup on the way to Estonia, driving through Liepupe, Latvia, on February 25. British troops and equipment are heading to Estonia as part of the UK's contribution to strengthen Nato's uplift to Eastern Europe. EPA

Protesters outside a Nato leaders virtual summit in Brussels on February 25. AP

A US Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender aircraft over Poland on February 24. US Air Force/Reuters

US military personnel check an Apache attack helicopter AH-64 during a technical stop on the tarmac at Traian Vuia International Airport in Timisoara, Romania, on February 24. EPA

German soldiers of the Nato enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania attend a ceremony during a visit of German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht to Rukla Military Base, Lithuania, on February 22. EPA

Scott Maccoll, commanding officer of the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, said: “Today marks a great first for our two Air Forces.

"We have been working together for some time and the level of co-operation has now reached a new level.

“It continues to be an absolute pleasure to work with our German allies on all aspects of our mission, from maintenance and operation of the jets to planning and logistic activities.”

“What better way to demonstrate the strength and unity of the Nato alliance than through successful, shared operations such as this?”

The ministry said that the mission formed part of the UK’s commitment to Nato member Estonia.

“Working together with our allies from the Royal Air Force in a live mission is what we have been looking forward to since we started this mission," said Lt Col Christoph Hachmeister, the German detachment commander.

“Now we can demonstrate interoperability in these difficult times to protect our Baltic partners and Nato’s eastern flank.

“The many years of good practice in working together will be the baseline for a successful co=-operation.”

Putin 'planning for a long war' in Ukraine, says Nato chief - video

Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said his party’s commitment to Nato co-operation with allies such as Germany is “unshakeable”, as he warned of the danger of cuts to defence projects.

“Our RAF pilots will conduct these welcome exercises with total professionalism," Mr Healey said.

"But the Conservatives’ mismanagement of defence projects such as Wedgetails and cuts to military transport planes are leaving the UK’s Nato obligations in doubt.

“Labour in government would apply a ‘Nato test’ to major defence programmes to ensure our Nato commitments are fulfilled.”