The German government announced plans to bolster its commitment to air surveillance over Poland and intensify support for Ukraine following a recent airspace intrusion.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius confirmed on Thursday that the move is a direct response to the multiple Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace earlier this week. Nineteen drones reportedly violated the airspace on Wednesday morning.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the currently deployed Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) element, stationed at the Laage Air Base in Poland and responsible for air defense operations, will have its deployment extended. The original end date of September 30th will now be pushed back to December 21st. Simultaneously, the number of aircraft within this QRA element will double, increasing the number of Eurofighter jets and their crews to four.
Beyond the enhanced air surveillance efforts, the German government stated its intention to advocate for the swift adoption of a comprehensive 19th sanctions package within the European Union targeting Russia. This underscores a broader commitment to supporting Ukraine.