Three French Rafale Strategic Air Forces (FAS) jets, supported by an A400M Atlas, have been deployed to Poland as part of NATO's Operation "Eastern Sentinel" to defend against Russian drone intrusions, the French Air and Space Force confirmed via social media on September 14th, 2025. The deployment, which occurred during the reporting window of 7:17 PM to 7:31 PM UTC, highlights France's commitment to European air defense. The Rafale jets belong to the 4th squadron, specifically the 2/4 Lafayette squadron, which is part of France's permanent posture for the airborne nuclear component, according to a French Air Force Staff confirmation. While equipped for air-to-air combat with Mica missiles and possessing dual conventional/nuclear capabilities, the deployed aircraft are not armed with nuclear weapons, focusing instead on air superiority. This deployment is seen as a concrete manifestation of the "European dimension of French deterrence" in response to a direct threat, following previous deployments to Lithuania, Sweden, Poland, and Croatia in earlier periods. This action comes as Ukraine's Air Force reported mass launches of Shahed drones from multiple Russian locations, including Bryansk, Kursk, Primorsky-Akhtra, and Oryol regions, with preparations for launches also noted from Smolensk, Gvardiysk, and Chauda in Crimea. Explosives from a suspected Russian drone were previously found and neutralized in the suburbs of Dnipro. The French deployment is framed as a reassurance to European allies amid perceived diminished U.S. protection, with Denmark recently choosing the Franco-Italian SAMP/T anti-aircraft system over the U.S. Patriot system in a €7.8 billion investment.
