NATO forces conducted live-fire air defence exercises in Poland on Thursday (June 9) to test their readiness to respond to aircraft, drone and missile attacks.
Part of the wider Ramstein Legacy 2022 (RALY 22) exercise, the drills used real missiles aimed at drone targets over the Baltic sea.
Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the United Kingdom all showcased their air defence systems. Seventeen NATO allies and partner countries are participating in the exercises.
One of the systems used by the British contingent was the Starstreak - a weapon which the UK has said it has delivered to Ukraine as part of military aid following the Russia's invasion of the country.
Deputy commander of NATO's Allied Air Command Pascal Delerce said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had seen an increase of missiles, fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles close to the borders of NATO countries.
"It increases the risk and the threat from the air and missile standpoint" Delerce said, adding it was important for NATO forces to train to confront such risks.
British troops taking part in the exercises said they had enjoyed facing a variety of non-live fire training targets, including both Soviet-made fighter jets and helicopters as well as small passenger aircraft.
Units based along the Baltic from Estonia to Poland are taking part in the RALY 22 exercises, which will conclude on Friday (June 10).
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters