RAF fighter jets have been deployed to Romania's Black Sea coast in a desperate bid to protect the country's air space amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Four Typhoon jets are said to be located at an airbase near the Black Sea.
The Typhoons are usually based at RAF Coningsby and will be supported by 150 RAF personnel who form the Headquarters of an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW).
According to the Ministry of Defence, the mission is a purely defensive operation and a permanent NATO mission that began in 1961 during the Cold War. It protects the security and integrity of all NATO Alliance member's airspaces, which are monitored by operation centres where it is assessed if an interception is required.
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The name of the mission is Operation Biloxi and it is the fourth time since 2017 that the RAF has conducted it. The deployment is in addition to long-standing continuous missions undertaken by NATO Allies across the Eastern Flank.
Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said: "The UK remains committed to NATO and European security in the face of Russian aggression and the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
"Operation Biloxi is a long-standing NATO mission and the Royal Air Force are playing a central role in security and deterrence in Europe."
Air vice-marshal Phil Robinson, Officer Commanding 11 Group, said: "The arrival of our personnel and equipment in the region highlights the RAF’s continued commitment and contribution to the NATO Air Policing mission in Romania. During the deployment, we will be working alongside our Romanian and other NATO partners, enabling the delivery of the mission and protecting and reassuring our allies, whilst building confidence and maintaining deterrence."
