The air surveillance mission of the Baltic countries extended. But not without difficulty...

(BRUSSELS2 to Chicago) Baltic Air Policing. This is the name of this operation, quite simple. European countries provide aerial surveillance of the Baltic countries. A very "smart defense" mission. Estonia, like Lithuania and Latvia, do not have adequate means to ensure the protection of their airspace against any intrusion (in particular from their large Russian neighbour). Each of the European countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, etc.) and the USA have "glued" to it, some several times.

Distribute the financial cost

However, putting several planes (4 in general), as well as the support staff (from 50 to 100 people), all for 3 to 4 months at a Lithuanian airport (in Zokniai/Siauliai), this represents a certain financial commitment and operational. And in these times of budgetary restrictions, every euro, every penny counts... The countries concerned are somewhat reluctant to make a specific commitment. The countries concerned bear part of the mission, in particular accommodation and operating costs. The custodial countries want the Baltics to help out a bit, by bearing more costs. Thus the three Baltic countries which so far pay less than 3 million euros per year, could pay around 5 million euros per year, or more, according to a source from one of these countries who confided in B2.

The principle of the extension acquired, the modalities under discussion

As a result, as the watchtower expires in 2014, the negotiation continues. The subject is delicate. At the very moment when the Alliance announces a series of projects for the pooling of resources, it is a little messy not to be able to agree on one of the first joint projects in this field. And the question of its extension was on the table in Chicago. In fact, apparently, only the principle of the extension has been acquired, until 2018, it is rumored. The Americans have put their weight in the balance. Obama himself, according to US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder, urged the allies to " provide devices for this mission. This allows the " Baltic States to invest their resources in other functions, particularly in Afghanistan”.

NB: This mission - called Baltic Air Policy - was started in March 2004 by Belgian F-16s. A habit for the Belgians who already provide aerial surveillance of their Luxembourg neighbor. Then the Danes took over and so on. The French Mirages were thus present in 2007 (spring), 2010 (winter) and 2011 (spring). During this last deployment, moreover, a Mirage suffered some damage following a collision with a training plane of the Lithuanian Air Force (read: French Mirage 2000 versus Lithuanian Albatros L-39: winning the Mirage). Currently it is the Poles with Mig29 who provide aerial surveillance.