F-35 Photo: Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/Released
Norway is taking on an important role within NATO by sending F-35 fighter jets, NASAMS air defence systems and 100 soldiers to protect Poland’s Rzeszow airport, which is located about 100 km from the Ukrainian border. Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram made the announcement on Monday, stressing the strategic importance of the airport for transporting military supplies to Ukraine, dpa reported.
Rzeszow is a strategic hub for NATO
Rzeszow Airport is an important logistical hub for NATO, used both for the supply of military equipment to Ukraine and for evacuation operations. “The airport is also important for military evacuations, which are handled by Norway,” said Minister Gram.
In the coming days, Norway will deploy four F-35 aircraft, air defence systems and military personnel to Poland to ensure airspace security until Easter next year.
International support for Poland
The airport is currently guarded by US units equipped with Patriot air defence systems, and Germany recently announced that it will deploy its Patriot systems to southeastern Poland early next year.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz thanked Norway for its support in a post on the X platform (formerly Twitter):
“From December, the security of our borders will be strengthened. Four Norwegian F-35 aircraft and their air defence systems will protect our space and NATO’s eastern flank. Many thanks to our allies in Norway!”
Poland is a pillar of support for Ukraine
Poland has played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, serving as a logistical hub for Western military assistance to Kyiv. For more than two and a half years, Poland has remained an important military and political ally of Ukraine, strengthening its defence and the security of NATO’s borders against threats from the East.
Norway’s move reaffirms NATO’s commitment to defend its members and support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
