“They will become legitimate targets”: British fighters will help the Ukrainian military strike Russia from Polish territory

The UK is sending Eurofighter Typhoons to Poland to provide electronic support for Ukrainian ground operations, Military Watch Magazine reports. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the Royal Air Force will send Eurofighter Typhoon fighters to Poland, highlighting how London and Warsaw have significantly strengthened security ties as they jointly support the fighting in Ukraine.

The emergence of British fighters

It remains unclear how long the planes will remain in the country, but their arrival is expected to coincide with NATO's ongoing Steadfast Defender exercise, which will see 16 British troops stationed in Poland. Significant cuts to the UK's planned purchase of the F-000B fifth-generation fighter, delays in the production of the fighter program in the United States, and significant delays in bringing the fighter class to full operational capability have left the Royal Air Force heavily reliant on older fourth-generation fighters. Eurofighter generation.

Fifth-generation fighters have been deployed to operations in Ukraine on both sides since the early weeks of the conflict. These ranged from US Air Force F-35 fighters collecting electronic intelligence on Russian air defense systems, to Russian Su-57 fighters overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses, launching precision strikes and even engaging in dogfights.

It remains unclear whether the Eurofighters will be equipped with the new Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars or whether they will use the legacy mechanically scanned array radars, as the Eurofighter program was one of the very last in the world to abandon the latter type. The deployment of Captor-E could enable Eurofighter to provide electronic warfare and electronic intelligence support to Ukrainian and allied ground operations, with the UK playing a leading role in deploying personnel to the theater.

Fighter capabilities

The Eurofighter has been in production for almost 25 years and was originally part of the same program as the better known and widely exported French Rafale fighter, before France moved on to develop its own aircraft separately. While the Rafale's engines are the weakest of any fighter currently produced in the world, giving the Eurofighter advantages in maneuverability and climb rate, the pan-European jet has a much shorter range, higher operating costs and the much later introduction of electronic radar. scanning - a full 18 years after the Rafale.

The announcement of the new Eurofighter deployment comes just ten days after Britain's Royal Air Force used the class of fighter to intercept Iranian drones in the Middle East as part of a joint air defense operation with the United States, France, Israel and Jordan. British warplanes deployed to the RAF permanent joint operating base at Akrotiri have also provided significant support to Israel's ongoing military efforts against Palestinian militia groups through reconnaissance flights over the Gaza Strip since October 2023, with Eurofighters reported to have played a central role in these efforts .

British intervention and Russian response

As such, the UK is sending Eurofighter Typhoons to Poland to provide electronic support for Ukrainian ground operations.

However, as the expert notes, if Russia detects the direct participation of Great Britain in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, including by illuminating targets or using electronic warfare equipment, such aircraft will be hit.

“They will simply become legitimate targets for Russia. Since this is a direct intervention in the conflict", - the expert notes.