Germany takes over NATO airspace surveillance in Baltic states

Admin I Sunday, March 03, 2024

BERLIN – Germany’s armed forces, or Bundeswehr, will once again monitor the airspace over the Baltic NATO states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania over the next nine months.

A squadron from the German air force, or Luftwaffe, took command of the Latvian Lielvarde airbase on Saturday, from where German pilots will command the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission for the first time.

Up to six Eurofighters and some 200 soldiers will be stationed at the military airbase, located about 60 kilometres south-east of the Latvian capital Riga, until the end of November.

“NATO Air Policing is of the utmost importance for the safety of the people in Latvia and the Baltic States,” said German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz at a ceremony in Lielvarde.

The importance of collective defence is especially important for the three Baltic states bordering Russia in north-eastern Europe, he added.

“Germany is and remains a reliable friend and partner of all Baltic states. And the Air Force stands firmly by the side of Latvia and the entire Baltic region,” Gerhartz said.

Since the Baltic states joined the alliance 20 years ago, NATO countries have regularly deployed aircraft to the region as a visible sign of solidarity in the region.

Latvia’s Defence Minister Andris Sprūds said that the mission has gained additional significance in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. “We are grateful to Germany for taking on this mission and leading it,” Sprūds said.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania do not have their own fighter jets. Therefore, NATO allies have been securing the Baltic airspace on a rotational basis since 2004. Germany has repeatedly taken on this task.