F-35 fighter jets sent to Poland by a NATO founding state to protect a key lens for Ukraine
March 11, 2024, Sweden: Stealth F-35 Lightning II fighter jets of Norwegian Royal Air Force, approaches for refueling a US KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during the Nordic Response 24. Photo: MSGT. Andrew Sinclair / US Air / Zuma Press / Profimedia
Norway will send F-35 fighter jets to Poland this autumn, with the mission to protect Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, one of the main transport nodes for NATO military support, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced on Monday.
The announcement has come in the context of climbing Russia's attacks on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, with the launch of a record number of 400-500 drones (UAVs) every night, notes The Kyiv Independent.
Norway-founding state of the North Atlantic Alliance (in 1949)-thus consolidates its contribution to NATO's air and missile defense, the main objective of the mission being to support the protection of the Polish air space and a key logistics center for military assistance granted to Ukraine, the Norwegian Ministry said.
“It is a vital contribution. We help to ensure that the support given to Ukraine reaches the destination and that Ukraine can continue the struggle for freedom,” said Norwegian Minister of Defense, Tore Sandvik, about sending hunting planes.
The Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport is located less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) on the border with Ukraine and, through the operations carried out in this hub, contributes to the transport of a major percentage of the Western military equipment for the Ukraine front. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that, from November 2024, 90% of Ukraine's military aid passes through Rzeszow airport.
The airport is also a main point for foreign leaders who travel to Kiev on official visits.
In January of this year, the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Berlin will carry out Patriot missile defense systems around Polish airport Rzeszow-Jasionka to protect it.
