Several German "Eurofighter Typhoon" fighter jets took off from "Norwegian" airbase today near Cologne to the Polish Malbork air base, southeast of Gdansk, to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, DPA reported, BTA reported.
The German air force said the move was a reaction to recent Russian violations of NATO airspace in the Baltic region, including incursions by kamikaze drones.
Germany announced in October that it would take the move, with the fighter deployment planned to continue until March.
"With this mission, our troops are making another valuable contribution to the protection of NATO's eastern flank. Since August, our rapid reaction wing has also been based in Romania," said German Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Holger Neumann.
Other German aircraft were already deployed to the Malbork base in August and September. The contingent is accompanied by about 150 personnel, including pilots, technicians, security guards and military police.