The Pentagon is sending six US Navy electronic warfare jets and more than 200 personnel to Germany as the US beefs up its capabilities in eastern Europe in the midst of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

Six Navy E/A-18G Growler jets were deploying from Naval Air Station Whidbey in Washington state to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, according to Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, and were anticipated to arrive today.

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He also stated that they would be accompanied by approximately 240 Navy air crew, pilots, and maintenance personnel.

The Navy Growler jets are primarily employed for electronic warfare operations, such as radar jamming to aid in the suppression of air defences.

Kirby stated that the Growlers were not being dispatched to engage Russian forces in Ukraine, and that the deployment was not in response to any event.

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“They are being deployed completely in keeping with our efforts to bolster NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities along that eastern flank,” Kirby said. “They are not being sent because of some acute threat that was perceived or some specific incident that happened. They are being deployed as we have said all along, the secretary wants to keep options open.”

The deployment of the Navy adds to the hundreds of US troops who have been sent to NATO countries in eastern Europe in the five weeks since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Brendan Stickles, a former commander of an E/A-18G squadron, told CNN that deploying an expeditionary Navy Growler squadron in reaction to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine was not surprising.

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“The six Growlers provide a unique electronic warfare capability to NATO that can help defend our partners and allies from any future aggression. Just as importantly, tactical deployments of non-kinetic forces — like the Growler — can expand our preparedness while avoiding any unintentional escalation,” Stickles said.

“The Growler can prohibit Russian surface to air missiles from targeting NATO aircraft. Despite the Russian tactical setbacks, they retain the ability to track and down our aircraft should they decide. The Growler can protect our forces from early warning, tracking, and targeting radars,” he continued.