RAMSTEIN, Germany - The 5th March, an intense exercise performed over the Estonian coastal waters, tested the F-35s capabilities in detecting, identifying and neutralizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
drones are becoming an increasing threat both during war and peacetime
The training was jointly initiated by the Netherlands and Estonia. Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets, deployed in Amari for the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission, exercised multiple practices, techniques and procedures in countering drones as part of the training. The Estonian Air Force managed the execution of the training activities through its air operations squadron, coordinated the necessary airspace and maritime area allocation, ensured exercise security, and handled post-exercise cleanup. They also supplied the drones used in the training event.
“In today’s security situation, drones are becoming an increasing threat both during war and peacetime, which is why it is important to carry out such exercises. The exercise can be considered successful, as all training objectives were met” said Estonian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Toomas Susi.
The Dutch F-35s have been deployed in Amari to support Baltic Air Policing mission. The Royal Netherland Air Force has stationed four F-35s in Estonia since the end of last year to safeguard and secure the NATO's eastern flank. Photo Courtesy The Royal Netherland Air Force
The training was jointly initiated by the Netherlands and Estonia. Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets, deployed in Amari (Estonia) for the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission (eAP), exercised multiple practices, techniques and procedures in countering drones as part of the training. Photo Courtesy The Royal Netherland Air Force
The exercise was an excellent opportunity to practice tactics, such as neutralizing multiple drones at the same time. Indeed, nowadays, swarm of drones pose a real threat. The misuse of small and widely available drones has grown exponentially, increasingly the opportunities for being used as weapons. Constantly improving the ability of counter-drone systems to operate together helps to strengthen Allied air defence and deterrence and defence.
Lieutenant colonel Swinger, commander F-35 detachment said: “Our mission in Estonia is clear: securing the Baltic airspace. One of the primary mission sets of the F-35 is Integrated Air and Missile Defense, therefore this counter-UAS exercise provided a great opportunity to once again demonstrate our capabilities in this realm. To plan and execute this with our ally Estonia, underlines our shared efforts to defend NATO territory”
The Dutch F-35s have been deployed in Amari to support Baltic Air Policing mission. The Royal Netherland Air Force has stationed four F-35s in Estonia since the end of last year to safeguard and secure the NATO's eastern flank. During the current deployment, they have executed approximately ten Alpha Scrambles, successfully identifying nearly 20 aircraft, including transport jets, reconnaissance aircraft, and electronic intelligence platforms which were not adhering to standard safety procedures.