RAF fighter jets may be placed in regional airports across Europe in readiness for “high tension scenarios” with Moscow.. Discussions have now extended to which European country’s air force will be tasked to be “first responder” for a variety of different scenarios in which Russia is the aggressor, sources say.
It comes as Nato begins to earnestly anticipate the prospect of an emboldened Vladimir Putin turning his back on Ukraine and taking aim at Nato states, where the US’ security guarantee is being questioned. One plan is for Europe to build a vast missile defence system, similar to Israel’s “Iron Dome”, with the explicit purpose of shooting down rockets launched by Moscow.
The Agile Combat Employment (ACE) initiative was originally a US idea devised in 2021 to be used in potential hotspots around the globe, such as the Indo-Pacific, Middle East or even Nato’s Eastern flanks in Europe.
But Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine the following year and concerns of a subsequent war involving Nato has broadened the threat.
For the UK, positioning fighter planes at regional airports in regional airports such as Southend, Teesside and Liverpool – for the first time since the Second World War – will ensure the survival of elements of the RAF’s Quick Reaction Force after any direct attack on their bases.
Eurofighter Typhoons based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray protect the northern sector of the UK, while those at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire look after the southern sector.
Other combat jets such as F-35s and larger aircraft will also be re-based in times of “imminent crisis”.
The RAF has already trialled the repositioning of small clusters of Typhoons and F-35s based in Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Scotland to a select number of regional airports which have runways able to accommodate them.
Other measures include the ability to take off an land from motorways.
But new plans may see a “mix and match” approach, which places jets in the country where they are needed most, crucially ensuring that regional airports are equipped with enough fuel and supplies to allow fighter jets to land there and carry out quick “operational turnarounds” before taking off again.
Though implementation of ACE is being coordinated with the United States Air Force Europe (USAFE), the issue was discussed in a recent meeting of the European Air Group.
Established in 1995 by France and the UK to improve interoperability between their respective air forces, the independent group now also includes Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Netherlands.
In its latest report, the EAG confirmed it was “translating the strategic aims of ACE into tangible events at the execution level though several projects”.
As senior officers gathered at EAG headquarters, RAF Command in High Wycombe, one of the topics discussed was which member would be the first to respond to different attack scenarios.
Though final decisions are left to the US-led Allied Air Command,”some progress was made,” said a senior RAF source.
The source added: “It is not unconceivable to envisage a scenario whereby RAF platforms are based at regional airports abroad and vice versa.
“This is all about agility – an agility brought about by unprecedented levels of cooperation and interoperability with Nato partners across Europe.”
It comes as allies discuss the implementation a “sky shield”, a European force of 120 fighter jets to defend Kyiv and western Ukraine from Russian airstrikes.
At the same time, the UK is leading the call for a multinational stability force of between 30,000- 65,000 troops in Ukraine to act as a “trip wire” against further Russia aggression once a peace treaty is signed.
The force would be part of a “coalition the willing” outside Nato and not include US troops.
Russia has already begun a so-called “hybrid” war against Europe.
In December, Finnish authorities seized an oil tanker they suspected of having severed undersea power and internet cables. It as among a raft of incidents which led to Nato launching operation “Baltic Sentry,” with increased maritime patrols.
Five months earlier Western officials accused Russia of sending two incendiary devices to DHL logistics hubs in Germany and the United Kingdom as part of a wider sabotage campaign to possibly start fires aboard North America-bound aircraft.
