UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 12:29

NATO defense ministers in Brussels reportedly emphasize expanding drone defenses and increasing coordinated military aid to Ukraine.

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In this photo taken on Saturday, June 15, 2019, a Royal Air Force Typhoon jet, bottom, flies by a Su-30 Flanker fighter (AP)

The United Kingdom will keep its fighter jets patrolling Polish airspace until the end of the year, Defense Secretary John Healy confirmed on Wednesday, extending London’s commitment to the Eastern Sentry mission.

“We are also ramping up our drone production for Ukraine,” he added, speaking to reporters before a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.

NATO members are increasingly focused on countering drone threats. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the alliance needs to find a more efficient way to intercept drones than relying on F-35 fighter jets.

He also confirmed that the Netherlands plans to invest 90 million euros ($104.6 million) in drones for Ukraine, urging other NATO members to boost their contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), the alliance’s package of military equipment and munitions for Ukraine.

The 'drone wall'

Coordinating military and civilian efforts, NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance and the European Union are working together to create a “drone wall” to protect member states from incursions. He explained that NATO provides the military capabilities, while the EU leverages its “soft power of the internal market” to ensure funding is available.

Standardizing operations along the eastern flank is also a priority. Acting Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country supports efforts to unify rules and engagement protocols for NATO missions, calling it “very important that we work on those regulations and make them more united.”

Looking ahead, NATO officials highlighted the enduring threat posed by Russia. Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen claimed that even after the Ukraine war ends, Russia will remain a significant challenge for the alliance. “We have observed a new build-up of Russian forces,” he stressed, alleging that Moscow is consuming military resources rapidly and becoming increasingly dependent on China.

Further contributions to PURL

Several allies also addressed ongoing support for Ukraine. Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur confirmed that his country joined the fourth PURL package, known as the Baltic Nordic package, with an estimated contribution of $12 million, and suggested the package could be finalized as early as Wednesday. Pevkur expressed concern over what he perceives as a recent decline in military assistance to Ukraine.

On his part, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson reiterated his country’s readiness to contribute further to PURL, emphasizing the need for all allies to step up support. “We’ve been seeing the wrong trajectory when it comes to support for Ukraine. That has been going down. We want to see more stepping up to enhance and increase the financial support and military donations to Ukraine,” Jonson said.

The United States also pressed for increased commitments. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Washington expects NATO partners to invest more in the PURL initiative, enhancing military capabilities and firepower to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

This coordinated effort highlights NATO’s focus on expanding air defenses and sustaining military aid to Ukraine. Moscow, however, views these measures as further evidence of NATO’s growing militarization along its borders, arguing that such actions threaten regional stability and hinder future peace efforts.