Aircraft

The Polish air force has deployed four RSK MiG-29 fighters and around 100 personnel from its 41st Tactical Air Squadron at Malbork to perform air policing duties over the Baltic states from Lithuania's Zokniai-Siaulai air base.

To run between 15 March and 30 June, the commitment represents Poland's second Baltic deloyment with the MiG-29, with four aircraft having performed more than 60 flights - including one interception - from Lithuania between December 2005 and March 2006.

© Polish defence ministry

Air force sources say that if Warsaw is required to conduct a third air defence operation over the Baltics it will assign the task to its new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.