RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft three times in as many days
April 21, 2025
Operation Chessman is the operational name for the UK contingent delivering the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission at Malbork Airbase, under the command of No.140 EAW (Expeditionary Air Wing). The RAF detachment operates alongside a deployment of Swedish Air Force (Flygvapen) Gripens – “the first time Sweden has contributed fighter aircraft to another Ally’s air policing since joining NATO in 2024.”
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard noted that Chessman underscored the UK’s ability “to operate side by side with NATO’s newest member Sweden, and to defend the Alliance’s airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.”
The UK deployment at Malbork is manned by personnel from No.II (Army Co-operation) Squadron, operating as part of No.140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), tasked with conducting Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission. The RAF deployment includes six Typhoon aircraft and nearly 200 personnel drawn from No.140 Expeditionary Air Wing, based at RAF Lossiemouth.
Pairs of Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base three times in three days, to intercept unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and flying close to NATO airspace. The Russian aircraft frequently operate without filing a flight plan, and without communicating with air traffic control authorities.
On Tuesday 15 April 2025, the Malbork-based Typhoons were scrambled twice by NATO. The first scramble saw the aircraft intercepting and identifying an Ilyushin Il-20M ‘Coot-A’, Communications and Electronic Signals Intelligence gathering aircraft, as it left Kaliningrad air space. Typhoons were scrambled again later the same day. This time they intercepted two Sukhoi Su-30MKI ‘Flanker-H’ aircraft two-seat air superiority fighter aircraft as they left Kaliningrad air space.
Image shows Coot A Russian Airforce Aircraft interception from NATO Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon FGR4 on 15th April 2025.
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 intercepted and identified as an Ilyushin Il-20M.
PAF Malbork, 17 April 2025— Typhoon FGR4 aircraft take off on a QRA Scramble prior to an interception.
An EAW spokesperson said that: “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.”
Interestingly, RAF Typhoons on QRA on Operation Chessman appear to be operating without a BVR air to air missile armament, instead carrying four MBDA ASRAAM missiles, together with a Litening targeting pod, an internal cannon and underwing fuel tanks.
