Polish F‑16s intercept Russian reconnaissance plane over Baltic Sea

The Operational Command reported that on Monday, August 12, a pair of standby Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea.

The Russian Federation's armed forces regularly conduct flights over the Baltic Sea and other areas. Recently, a similar incident involved French Mirage 2000 fighters in March of this year when they intercepted two Russian Su-30Ms. NATO aircraft also approached an Antonov An-72 transport aircraft that was flying in international airspace north of Poland, escorted by a Su-30.

This situation has repeated itself. According to the Operational Command on platform X, a pair of standby Polish F-16 fighter jets identified and intercepted the Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft on Monday, August 12. As mentioned in the published communiqué, the Russian intelligence aircraft was conducting a reconnaissance mission in international airspace, without violating Polish territorial waters.

"Every day, pilots of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland are vigilant and ready to ensure the protection of Polish skies," adds the Operational Command on X. It should be noted that NATO aircraft frequently operate near the Baltic Sea, including Polish Saab 340 AEW&C early warning aircraft.

The Il-20, intercepted by the Polish F-16s, is a well-known intelligence aircraft frequently seen near Poland. Originally developed from the passenger Ilyushin Il-18D, the Il-20 underwent numerous modifications to meet military requirements.

The USSR authorities commissioned the construction of the Il-20 for safe-distance reconnaissance missions. The Il-20 is capable of electronic surveillance, including detecting and intercepting communication sources. It can also gather imaging information, allowing allied units to accurately determine the location of ground systems belonging to potential adversaries.

The pair of standby F-16s were dispatched toward the Baltic Sea to intercept the Il-20, equipped with AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles (low observability ammunition with a range of nearly 250 miles). The fighters can reach speeds of Mach 2, over 1,300 mph, and operate at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet.

In the standard variant, the F-16s can cover 2,000 miles on a single fuel tank. With additional fuel tanks, this range increases to 2,600 miles. Besides the AGM-158 missiles, the F-16s are equipped with the standard M61 Vulcan 20mm aircraft gun.