During the course of yesterday, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces announced on its social media channels that Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighters had intercepted a Russian signals intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea, escorting it while it transited through the country’s Area of Responsibility. According to the report, the aircraft was an Il-20 conducting a surveillance mission over international airspace, but it had its transponder turned off and lacked a detailed flight plan indicating its route.
Quoting some of the official statements from the institution: “The aircraft did not violate Polish airspace. Thanks to the high combat readiness, professionalism of the pilots, and the efficient functioning of the air defense system, the operation was carried out quickly, effectively, and safely. Protecting Polish airspace is not only a duty but a daily mission for the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, who safeguard our country’s security with total commitment (…) The Polish Armed Forces remain on constant alert to respond to any threat and protect the sovereignty of Polish airspace.”
It is worth recalling that the Baltic Sea has become one of the main theaters in Europe for the deployment of naval assets, resulting in increased surveillance activity over the region. NATO has specifically warned about the activity of what it calls Russia’s “dark fleet,” composed of vessels sailing without their true flags or active transponders to evade monitoring by Western countries and the sanctions imposed on Moscow. In recent weeks, it has been confirmed that the number of these vessels has decreased due to the heightened deployment of naval and aerial surveillance platforms.
It is also noteworthy that these missions carried out by Polish MiG-29 fighters are among the last ones the aircraft will perform for the Polish Air Force, which is steadily advancing in the incorporation of Lockheed Martin’s F-35A stealth fighters, locally designated as “Husarz” in honor of the country’s legendary cavalry unit. Warsaw purchased a fleet of 32 aircraft for the force in an agreement with the United States worth approximately 6.5 billion dollars. The first of these units was delivered in August 2024, marking the beginning of this modernization process.
Moreover, it should be recalled that Polish pilots have already been training in the United States to accelerate the transition to the new aircraft. This training has been taking place at Eglin Air Force Base alongside the USAF’s 33rd Fighter Wing. In particular, in February of this year, one of these Polish pilots had the opportunity to take the controls of an F-35A in the U.S. for the first time as part of the final stages of training. The occasion was noteworthy since the aircraft has no two-seat variant, meaning the pilot conducted the flight without an instructor on board.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: Poland to Produce Over 1,200 4×4 Tactical Vehicles Based on South Korean KIA LTV for Its Armed Forces
