North Atlantic Treaty Organisation fighter jets policing over eastern Europe as part of the Baltic air policing mission intercepted 22 Russian aircraft over a week’s time at the end of July. While this mission has been flown by 16 aircraft over recent months, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation highlights that it is an increase from the original four-aircraft mission. “Our military commanders assess that this posture is appropriate and adequate”.
Advertisement
“During this period, the stated requirement remained at eight aircraft, but the alliance allocated extra resources in order to send a strong message regarding NATO’s willingness to defend allied airspace”, Janzen said.
While NATO has been critical of Russia air force military maneuvers near NATO territory, there have been few reported cases in which Russian aircraft have violated the airspace of NATO member states, and some of these lasted just seconds.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation today said that from September it will reduce its air patrols over the Baltic states, which it stepped up amid concern over Russia’s activity in the region.
Meanwhile, Lithuanian Defense Minister Jouzas Olekas said the move would not affect Baltic security in a bid to downplay the cutback.
“NATO will have eight aircraft assigned to the mission as of 1 September, and these aircraft will be based at both Siauliai [Airbase] Base in Lithuania and Amari [Airbase] Base in Estonia”.
“This is still double the number we had before the start of the Russia-Ukraine crisis”, Romero said.
Advertisement
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has been strengthening its military presence along Russia’s western border amid the Ukrainian crisis, which the alliance claims Russian Federation is involved in.
