Rafales Relieved By French Mirage 2000s In Poland

The Rafale fighter detachment stationed at the tactical air base in Malbork, Poland was relieved by Mirage 2000 fighters, according to the French Air Force. 

The relief force consists of two Mirage 2000-5 from Luxeuil Air Base and two Mirage 2000Cs from Orange air base. These single-seat air-defense fighters, armed with air-to- air missiles and having a substantial range, are well-suited, like the Rafale, to ensuring a continuing air-defense mission, the statement said.  

The air detachment in Poland consists of a hundred soldiers and four Mirage 2000 ready to scramble 24/24 and 7/7. 

On April 16, 2014, NATO asked France to engage its air-defense capabilities. Four Rafales have been stationed in Poland since April 28, at the Malbork base. Their replacement, on a one-for-one basis, allows the detachment to continue its dual mission of: 
-- train for NATO Air Police missions, alongside Polish crews; 
-- participate, on request from NATO , the airspace monitoring mission of the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to ensure the integrity of their airspace.