On 7 and 8 July, the French combat aircraft engaged in air policing mission in Poland under Nato mandate, have been asked to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 that was violating the Polish airspace, said today Colonel Jaron, spokesman of the French joint chief of staff. The Ilyushin Il-20 is a surveillance, mapping and electronic intelligence aircraft. France is engaged in air policing mission since the 1st April. It began with surveillance radar aircraft E3F Awacs. Then on 28 April, 4 Dassault Rafale aircraft from the Armée de l'Air were deployed in Malbork. On 3 June the Rafale jets were replaced by 2 Mirage 2000-5 and 2 Mirage 2000-C.