UK deploys fifth-generation aircraft to Iceland for the first time
2024-08-17
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According to foreign media reports, on August 5, four F-35B fighters from the 617th Squadron of the British Air Force went to Iceland to participate in NATO's "Iceland Air Policing" operation, which will last until early September. This is also the first time that the British Air Force has sent fifth-generation fighters to participate in NATO's air policing operations.
Iceland has no air patrol and defense capabilities since the US Air Force withdrew from its Keflavik Air Base in September 2006. In November 2006, the Icelandic government proposed at the NATO Riga Summit that NATO allies take turns patrolling its airspace. In 2007, the NATO Council agreed to the request and made similar arrangements for other member states that were unable to patrol their own airspace. According to the Icelandic government's request, NATO allies cannot station fighter units at the Keflavik Air Base, but should deploy an average of three batches of fighters each year, each deployment lasting about three to four weeks, with a total of about four aircraft. From May 5 to June 30, 2008, the French Air Force sent four Mirage 2000-5F fighters to the Keflavik Air Base. This was the first batch of fighters sent by NATO to Iceland to participate in the "Iceland Air Policing" operation.
NATO member states' deployment operations in Iceland are usually assisted by NATO E-3 early warning aircraft and other support aircraft. NATO's Northern Joint Air Operations Center in Uedm, Germany, is responsible for commanding NATO air policing operations north of the Alps and in the Baltic region. With the outbreak of regional conflicts, NATO's relations with Russia have deteriorated sharply. In March 2022, the Icelandic government said it was considering allowing NATO allied fighter units to be stationed at Keflavik Air Base, but the issue has not been formally discussed so far.
In fact, the UK is not the first NATO member to deploy fifth-generation fighter jets to Iceland. In 2019 and 2022, the Italian Air Force deployed F-35A and F-35B fighter jets in Iceland, and the Norwegian Air Force also deployed F-35A fighter jets in Iceland many times. In addition, the US Air Force B-2 stealth bomber was briefly deployed at Keflavik Air Base and participated in exercises in 2019, 2021 and 2023. These deployment operations show that Keflavik Air Base already has a certain ability to maintain stealth aircraft.
British media said that the British Air Force deployed F-35B fighter jets to Iceland this time to conduct training in cold weather conditions and to enhance the role of F-35B in national air defense. The British Air Force's F-35Bs have performed air defense missions on two British Navy aircraft carriers, but have not yet been used in national air defense, a task that has long been undertaken by the Typhoon fighter jets. There is also a view that the British Air Force hopes to verify the F-35B's land takeoff and landing performance through this deployment and further enhance its flexible deployment capabilities. British military officials said that this deployment reflects the UK's deterrent power in NATO airspace.
However, some analysts believe that the actual role played by the British Air Force F-35B fighter jets in Iceland is limited. The F-35 series fighter jets have long been questioned for their maneuverability and may face challenges when performing air patrol missions. In particular, the F-35B is equipped with equipment such as lift fans necessary for vertical take-off and landing, which is equivalent to adding additional load, further limiting its maneuverability.
Above: A British Air Force F-35B fighter jet takes off from Malham Base and heads for deployment to Iceland.
(Source: China National Defense News)
