NATO has launched a new initiative to boost security on Europe's eastern flank, following an incident involving a Russian drone that violated Polish airspace this week. The news was confirmed by the alliance's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, on Friday.
The operation, called "Eastern Sentry", is expected to launch in the coming days and will involve forces and military assets from several member states, including Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and others, Rutte said.
"Eastern Sentry will strengthen our defensive resilience and send a clear message: as an alliance committed to defense, we are always prepared for any threat," he stressed.
Rutte called the drone violation on Wednesday "dangerous and unacceptable," adding that it was not an isolated incident. He said Russia's irresponsible aerial behavior along NATO's eastern borders was on the rise.
NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, explained that the operation will have a "flexible and agile" nature and will include elements of integrated air and ground defense, as well as advanced intelligence sharing between allied countries.
He added that, although the full implementation of the operation will take time, the first steps will be taken immediately.
According to a NATO press release, among the equipment to be deployed are: two F-16 aircraft and an anti-aircraft frigate from Denmark, three Rafales from France and four Eurofighters from Germany.
The operation will extend along NATO's entire eastern flank – from the far north, to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
“Across this space, we will dynamically adapt and change our posture to keep the adversary in suspense and respond directly to any emerging threat,” Grynkewich concluded.
