On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on social media that Operation Chessman, carried out by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the NATO Air Policing mission at the 22nd Air Base in Królewo Malborskie, has come to an end.
Photo: Royal Air Force
“We thank the Royal Air Force for their professionalism and dedication as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission. The RAF fighter jets stationed in Malbork are a great example of cooperation for security and rapid response to airspace violations. Our Swedish allies, with Gripen fighters, are still present in Poland. Soon, Australia and other partner nations will join them…” wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence on the social platform X.
Dziękujemy Siłom Powietrznym Wielkiej Brytanii za profesjonalizm i zaangażowanie w ramach natowskiej misji enhanced Air Policing. Myśliwce RAF-u, które stacjonowały w Malborku to przykład współpracy na rzecz bezpieczeństwa i błyskawicznego reagowania na naruszenia przestrzeni… pic.twitter.com/wiEfzcoLNC
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) July 30, 2025
As a reminder, on March 25 of this year, the Royal Air Force deployed six Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 multirole combat aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to Królewo Malborskie. A day later, they were joined by the Swedish Air Force, which deployed six JAS 39C Gripen fighters (Allied Air Support in Poland). The official start of the joint Air Policing mission by both countries in Poland was April 1. On May 26, the Swedish contingent rotated its aircraft, allowing them to remain active in Poland.
According to an article published today by Polska Zbrojna magazine, the results of Operation Chessman include 460 flight hours logged by the Typhoons, more than 20 Alpha Scrambles (rapid response interceptions), and close cooperation with the armed forces of 13 allied nations. The Typhoons were armed with MBDA AIM-132 ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles.
On July 27, the Royal Air Force posted a video on its social media channels thanking its Polish and Swedish partners.
🇬🇧🤝🇵🇱🤝🇸🇪 Thank You to Our Polish and Swedish Allies
As Operation Chessman comes to a close, to our Polish and Swedish allies who have helped make this a success.
Dziękujemy! Tack så mycket! 🇵🇱🇸🇪💪 pic.twitter.com/h5Ydl3d0r4
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) July 27, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Australia will soon deploy its contingent to Poland — this will include the redeployment of an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to our region, but this time to Poland rather than Germany. German Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoons are also expected to arrive in Poland this summer.
According to earlier reports, the second half of the year will see the deployment of F-35A fighter jets from two allied nations: the Kingdom of the Netherlands (from September 1 to December 1) and Norway (later in the autumn, with an exact date yet to be confirmed).
UPDATE
The end of the RAF mission was announced by the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command (DO RSZ):
“Over the past few months, Polish airspace has been under the joint protection of NATO allied forces, including a contingent from the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. British pilots, flying multirole Eurofighter Typhoon jets, carried out their tasks as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission, operating from the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork.”
Photos: DO RSZ
The purpose of their presence was to enhance the air security of the Eastern Flank of the Alliance. Through continuous combat readiness and the ability to respond immediately, the British fighter jets supported efforts aimed at countering potential airspace violations.
During their stay in Poland, RAF pilots cooperated closely with their hosts from the 22nd Tactical Air Base as well as with other NATO allies, including the Swedish Gripens, which have also been stationed at the Malbork airfield since April of this year. Their involvement contributed to strengthening allied cooperation and enhancing interoperability among the air forces of different nations.
The farewell ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 20, at the Malbork airfield. It was attended by Brigadier General Robert Cierniak, Deputy Commander of the Air Operations Center – Air Component Command, as well as the commanders of the British and Swedish contingents and representatives of the 22nd Tactical Air Base. General Cierniak thanked the RAF pilots and all supporting personnel for their full commitment, high operational standards, and readiness to respond jointly to challenges in the airspace.
The departure of the British contingent from Malbork does not mark the end of NATO’s air policing mission in Poland. The operation continues with the involvement of other member states, and additional allied forces are expected to join soon. The presence of NATO forces in Poland remains a key element of the collective security and deterrence system, reaffirming the unity and solidarity of the Alliance’s member nations.
