A pair of RoNAF F-35As. An undisclosed number of aircraft will now conduct the air defence of Rzeszów Airport in Poland, which serves as a vital supply hub for Ukraine. (RoNAF)
Norwegian combat aircraft and ground-based air-defence (GBAD) systems have taken on the safeguarding of airspace over NATO's key hub for equipment transfers to Ukraine at Rzeszów Airport in Poland.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 2 December that Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF) Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) jets and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) units would be sent to the hub close to the Polish-Ukrainian border.
“Ukraine remains in critical need of military support, with Poland as the most critical logistics hub. Starting early December, Norway will assume air defence responsibility for the most important hub for the transport of both civilian and military material from other countries to Ukraine,” Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram said, adding that the airport is also central to the medical evacuation efforts that Norway is responsible for.
As noted in the announcement, Norway will safeguard the airspace above the airport in Rzeszów within the framework of NATO's integrated air and missile defence. Norway is sending approximately 100 personnel, as well as an undisclosed number of F-35As and NASAMSs, and F-35 fighter jets. These assets will remain in place through to Easter (20 April) 2025, the MoD said.
Various NATO allies take turns in providing Poland with such protection, the Norwegian MoD explained, though to date it is understood that only the United States has taken on this particular mission.
For more information on Rzeszów Airport, please see Russian threat of targeting NATO-Ukraine supply convoys increases risk of accidental strikes in Poland and Romania .
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