RAMSTEIN, Germany – Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and German Air Policing detachments have scrambled their Air Force fighters in the Baltic region in a busy period for NATO Air Policing.
We demonstrate our capabilities, readiness and our steadfast commitment to collective deterrence and defence
All four Allied Air Policing detachments have responded to potential threats from Russian military aircraft which were not on a flight plan or not conforming to safety norms.
Two Italian Air force Eurofighter ready for take-off at Malbork Air Base, Poland, from where the jets support NATO's Air Policing mission over the Baltic Sea. Archive photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
Two Spanish Air Force F/A-18 jets during a training mission launched out of Šiauliaii, Lithuania. The jets are contributing to secure skies under NATO Baltic Air Policng. Archive photo by Robert Rydendahl.
A German Air Force Eurofighter during an interception of a Russian military aircraft. Over a week, the Eurofighters launched out of Lielvārde Air Base in Latvia in response to Russian air activity over the Baltic Sea. Photo courtesy Bundeswehr.
A Russian Intelligence Collection plane viewed from the cockpit of an Italian Eurofighter. NATO interceptor jets demonstrated their vigilance and readiness during busy operational times in the run up to BALTOPS 24. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.
Virtually every day, the German Eurofighters took to the skies under NATO’s Air Policing mission, the first time a detachment has been based in Lielvārde Air Base in Latvia. The Italian Eurofighters of the Task Force Air 4th Wing detachment scrambled from Malbork Air Base, Poland, and also the Spanish Air Force launched their F-18 jets based in Šiauliai, Lithuania, to secure NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea region.
“We demonstrate our capabilities, readiness and our steadfast commitment to collective deterrence and defence," said General James Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command. "On a daily basis, Allied fighter jets are flying over the Baltic Sea,” he added.
The increase in activities is routine for this time of year and linked to the increase in NATO multi-domain operations in the region due to exercise Baltic Operations or BALTOPS. This is NATO’s long-standing premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region that the Allies are conducting legitimately in international waters. The drills run from June 7 to 20, 2024.
All intercept missions were carried out successfully against a mix of Russian military aircraft, demonstrating the high state of readiness and proficiency of the German, Spanish and Italian detachments. Seamlessly and timely responding to these situations is helped by proven and test command and control links from the Baltic Control and Reporting Centres to the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany - an example of NATO's regional arrangements preserving the integrity and safety of the airspace above the Baltic States.
For 20 years, NATO’s has been committed to the Baltic Air Policing mission. Seventeen Allies have taken turns deploying their fighter jets in consecutive detachments safeguarding the skies over the Baltic Sea and, most recently contributing to Allied deterrence and defence on the Eastern Flank.
The present posture is an example of NATO’s continued vigilance and 24/7 awareness in the region – through its recognized air picture – of potential threats or unsafe situations in the vicinity of its airspace.