Dutch F-35 Fighters Bolster NATO Air Patrol Mission in the Baltic Region
This follows the departure of Spanish soldiers who had been supporting the mission with a medium-range NASAMS air defense system. Estonia is expected to receive its own medium-range air defense system sometime next year.
The Dutch defense minister, Ruben Brekelmans, is scheduled to visit Estonia on Monday to discuss continued cooperation and defense strengthening between the two countries.
French Rafale Jets Join Italian Eurofighter Contingent
Meanwhile, a French contingent flying “Rafale” fighter jets joined the Italian contingent on Thursday. The combined forces, under the leadership of the NATO patrol mission, will operate’ out of the Zokni air base, located on the outskirts of Šiauliai, Lithuania. Italy has been leading the mission for the past four months with “Eurofighter” fighters. Both countries will maintain a total of eight fighter jets for the mission. Prior to the Dutch deployment, a German contingent had been supporting the NATO patrol mission, operating from Lielvārde.
Long-Standing NATO Commitment to Baltic Air Security
NATO members have been conducting rotational patrols of the airspace over Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia since these Baltic states joined the alliance in March 2004. Initially, patrols were solely conducted from the Šiauliai air base in Lithuania. Since 2014, however, the Emari base in Estonia has also played a crucial role in supporting the air patrol mission.
The ongoing mission also reflects NATO’s response to the continued war in Ukraine As a result, allied fighter jets stationed in the Baltic States are not only responding to any illegal entry of Russian military aircraft into the region’s airspace but also actively patrolling the airspace near the Russian-Belarusian border.
“In response to Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, since March 2022, NATO has strengthened airspace protection, increased the number of soldiers and fighter jets,” the reinforcement of the Baltic air patrol assets underscores the collective security efforts aimed at deterring potential aggression and maintaining stability in the region.
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How does the presence of the Dutch F-35s and French Rafale fighter jets contribute to the deterrence of potential threats in the Baltic region?
## Securing the Skies: NATO Air Policing in the Baltic Region
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re joined by Alex Reed, a defense analyst, to discuss recent developments in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the news about the Netherlands rejoining the mission. They’re bringing their state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets to Ämari air base in Estonia. What does this signify?
**Alex Reed:** This is a significant reinforcement for the mission. The Dutch F-35s are some of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, and their deployment demonstrates the Netherlands’ continued commitment to NATO and collective security in the Baltic region. Remember, the mission alternates between different NATO allies, and the Dutch jets are replacing a Spanish contingent that deployed a NASAMS air defense system. [1]
**Host:** Interesting. You mentioned the mission alternates between allies. Can you tell us what other changes are happening?
**Alex Reed:** Indeed, there are other developments. In Lithuania, a French contingent flying Rafale fighter jets has joined the Italian Eurofighter contingent at the Zokni air base. This highlights the ongoing multinational collaboration within NATO to ensure the security of the Baltic airspace. [1]
**Host:** This sounds like a multi-faceted effort. Can you elaborate on the importance of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in the current geopolitical climate?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. The mission is crucial because it deters any potential aggression and assures the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – of NATO’s commitment to their defense. These countries do not have their own fighter jet fleets capable of securing their airspace independently, so NATO’s presence is vital. The current situation with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine clearly demonstrates the importance of maintaining a strong collective defense posture in the region.
**Host:** Thank you, Alex Reed, for providing us with those insights. This is definitely a situation we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure.
