NATO deploys European F-35 fighters to Poland as Russian maneuvers on the border intensify
Alliance strengthens eastern flank as Baltic tensions escalate and Russian activity draws concern.
Russian jets are buzzing around the Baltic skies again, and NATO isn’t sitting this one out. In a move signaling growing urgency along Europe’s eastern front, Norway has sent a squadron of its F-35A Lightning II fighter jets to Poland.
The deployment, announced June 30 by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, puts some of NATO’s most advanced stealth aircraft within striking distance of Russia’s ramped-up military presence near Ukraine and the Baltic region.
Norway to deploy F-35s to Poland 🇳🇴✈️
— Norwegian Ministry of Defence (@Forsvarsdep) June 30, 2025
Norway is strengthening its contribution to @NATO's air and missile Defence by sending F-35 fighter aircraft to Poland and Rzeszów Airport this autumn.
The mission supports the protection of Polish airspace and a key logistical hub for… pic.twitter.com/mZIBDPmm9F
Why are NATO F-35s being deployed now?
The backdrop to this is a sharp uptick in Russian military activity, including aggressive flyovers by tactical bombers like the Su-24 and the reactivation of Soviet-era bases. One particularly tense incident on May 22, as reported by Army Recognition Group, saw a Russian bomber perform high-risk maneuvers over international waters, intercepted by Polish jets under NATO command.
The Baltic Sea has become increasingly crowded and unpredictable. Russian provocations have increased, and the concentration of over 50,000 Russian troops near Ukraine’s northeastern border only adds to the alarm bells. The F-35s, with their stealth design, sensor fusion, and advanced communications, provide NATO with a powerful surveillance and deterrence tool at a time when quick response is key.
Want to know more about the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet’s capabilities? Here you go...
Is this enough to stop Russia?
While the specific objective of this move is not about stopping Russia outright, it should have raised the cost of further provocation. By putting fifth-generation fighters on Moscow’s radar, quite literally, NATO is aiming to make it crystal clear that any misstep over Baltic skies won’t go unanswered.
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