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At a meeting at the Permanent Joint Staff of the United Kingdom on Thursday, the deployment of British fighter jets to Ukraine was discussed.
The Telegraph reports, citing sources.
In particular, it is noted that British fighter jets are ready to provide air cover for the peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine. According to the sources, the British Air Force will provide either Typhoon or F35 fighters, as both provide “excellent air patrol service.”
At the same time, a British Air Force source said that “the British Army and the Royal Air Force will be part of the first vanguard in Ukraine, and the British are likely to be one of the first countries to commit.”
It is also noted that several countries will be ready to send air cover at a moment’s notice, and it will be carried out on a rotational basis. At the same time, no commitments to air cover have been promised or confirmed so far.
The United Kingdom has already agreed that six Typhoon aircraft will be sent to Poland to conduct air patrols as part of NATO’s expanded forward presence. The source added that the UK could send “more” if Typhoons need to be redirected to Ukraine.
According to The Telegraph, Thursday’s discussions also covered what kind of air cover would be provided, which countries could provide aircraft, where they would be based and refueled.
One military source also emphasized that the key priorities for the coalition are to ensure the security of Ukraine’s airspace and to return the Black Sea to international waters.
“Ukraine must be confident in its country to start an economic path and return displaced persons to their country,” the source said.
As a reminder, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the summit of the “Coalition of the Willing” will be held next Thursday in Paris, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending.
