RAF joins Germany to show strength to Russia

The RAF will fly Nato missions with Germany over Estonia for the first time in a show of strength to Russia.

It will be the first joint air policing mission of its kind for the UK in the Baltic country, as it works with German air force Typhoon jets.

Around 300 RAF personnel from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing will deploy to Estonia imminently, as the RAF prepares to take the lead on the long-established Nato air policing mission from the German Air Force for four months.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said the mission would ensure the security of Europe’s skies and bolster Nato’s presence in eastern Europe.