On March 31, Air Contingents of the French and the Romanian Air Forces took over the responsibility for the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states at a ceremony in Šiauliai. They replace the Spanish Air Force Contingent after eight months of duty.
The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states conducted from the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai will be led by the French Air Force with the Dassault Rafale fighter jets. They will be reinforced by the Romanian Air Force Contingent with the F-16 Fighting Falcons.
“The NATO Air Policing Mission is one of the most outstanding examples of the Alliance collective defence. Today, as the security situation in the region remains complex, Allied presence in Lithuania is more important than ever. The recent drone incidents in the Baltic states and Finland signal of a necessary stronger air defence and a permanent, robust Allied presence in the region,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Vitalija Zumerienė.
Vice Minister thanked personnel of the Lithuanian Ari Force for the work. “We have to continue strengthening capabilities and move close to a more robust air defence, so that we are able to counter modern threats, including uncrewed systems, and ensure that the NATO air presence in the region remains strong and reliable,” V. Zumerienė noted.
The Allies deployed in Šiauliai maintain close collaborative relationship with the Lithuanian Air Force colleagues who provide Host Nation Support and help ensure mission success.
This is the ninth time the French Air Force personnel have been sent to carry out NATO Air Policing tasks from Šiauliai, and the fourth time for the Romanian Air Force.
The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states has been executed without interruptions since 2004 ensuring security and integrity of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian skies. 17 Allies have rotated to carry out the mission over more than then two decades since then, most of them – more than once. Allied air forces also conduct drills with air defence system on a regular basis.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Air Force Base
