RAMSTEIN, Germany - A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 detachment deployed to Ämari Air Base in Estonia. The fifth generation jets are the first NATO jets to launch from the airfield after completion of major runway renovation works.
Very fittingly, the first NATO jets to use this newly renovated runway will be fifth generation fighter aircraft
The Dutch detachment and jets were welcomed during a ceremony attended by senior NATO and national military and civilian representatives.
“Here at Ämari, only three weeks ago, I underscored the importance of state-of-the-art infrastructure for successfully executing our collective mission to protect and defend our Allied populations and territory,” said Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany. “Very fittingly, the first NATO jets to use this newly renovated runway will be fifth generation fighter aircraft - this is a clear demonstration of how Allies invest into new cutting-edge technology and capability to stand up against current and future threats,” he added.
The airfield at Ämari Air Base in Estonia was recently renovated, supported b Luxembourg and NATO, demonstrating continued support and commitment to deterrence and defence. Photo courtesy of Estonian Defence Forces
The Netherlands officially assumed NATO air policing duties at a ceremony at Ämari Air Base, Estonia. The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 detachment will be the first NATO jets to launch from the air field after completion of major runway renovation works. Photos courtesy of Estonian Defence Forces
The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 detachment will be the first NATO jets to launch from the recently renovated airfield at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, after completion of major runway renovation works. Photos courtesy of The Royal Netherlands Air Force.
With the successful and timely conclusion of the extensive runway repair project, Estonia – supported by Luxembourg and NATO – has demonstrated its continued support and commitment to deterrence and defence. The project’s total costs of 18.5 million EUR are an investment into boosting NATO infrastructure in the region. At Ämari, Estonia will demonstrate they are fully capable of supporting fifth generation aircraft operations as they are resuming 24/7 NATO Air Policing flights. This is a major contribution to the Alliance’s readiness along the eastern flank.
“Estonia is happy to host all Allies at Ämari Air Base in the framework of various exercises, NATO’s rotational air defence model, or air policing,” said Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur. “With the improved conditions at Ämari and a new runway, air policing can now return with F-35s — the most advanced fighter jets in the world. We are delighted to host the Netherlands as the next contributing country for NATO’s air policing mission at Ämari. Notably, the Netherlands is the first country to take over air policing at the renovated Ämari Air Base, doing so with state-of-the-art stealth fighters.”
Providing a set of F-35s for this NATO mission is another major contribution the Netherlands make to collective security in the region – already in 2023, a Dutch F-35 detachment was deployed to Malbork, Poland, and supporting NATO Air Policing abroad. At home, the Netherlands are among those Allies who use the F-35 as the only platform for Air Policing exploiting the additional capabilities the aircraft offers in several respects. The present deployment to Estonia for NATO’s Air Policing mission underscores the Netherlands commitment to collective deterrence and defence.
“We are ready to operate our fifth-generation fighter jets from Ämari Air Base to provide 24/7 air surveillance and to defend ourselves and our Allies,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Smaal, the Royal Netherlands Air Force Detachment Commander. “This deployment is aimed at securing the Baltic airspace and is one of the Netherlands’ efforts to provide assurance to our Allies on NATO’s eastern flank.”
Playing a key role for NATO’s Air Policing in the Baltic Sea region, both the air bases at Ämari and Šiauliai are capable hubs where Allies combine their high-end capabilities under the Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. With the new posture of Italian, French and Dutch fighter jets NATO has a robust air capability in place that sends a clear signal to potential adversaries of the Allies’ collective readiness and commitment to preserving territorial integrity.