The Italians and Poles take over from the Portuguese and Canadians over the Baltic countries
(B2) The Italian Eurofighters, have taken over since the start of the year from Portuguese F-16s based on Siauliai in Lithuania. Assisted by 4 Polish MIG-29s which arrived in Siauliai on January 5,Euro Fighter Spanish, based à Amari (Estonia), and F-16s Belgian based at Malbork, Poland, they will ensure aerial surveillance of the Baltic countries until the end of April.
This mission carried out within the framework of NATO, in turn by the member countries of the Atlantic organization, is particularly crucial today at a time when the Baltic skies are regularly overflown by Russian military planes which "stray" or "deviate" from the route. Beyond the technical aspect of the sky police, this mission thus has a more political objective: to reassure the Baltic countries of European solidarity and to send a signal to Moscow that they are not alone.
« I am extremely grateful Asked governments of these countries. Because they understand the necessity solidarity today, when itis most needed » underlined Juozas Olekas during the handover ceremony which took place at the end of the year on the base of Šiauliai. " It is Very important to be able to to trust our partners about days like this, where the situation geopolitics in the region it's tense, where the measurements of deterrence are essential ».
If the Poles - the sixth time they have taken part in the mission - and the Belgians are regulars in the Baltic skies, this is the first time that the Italians have carried out this mission. The Polish contingent which comes from base 23 "Minsk-Mazowiecki" includes about 100 people (pilots, technicians, medical staff, support group and communications).
The fourth Portuguese F-16 aircraft, reinforced with four fighter CF-188 Canadian, of German Eurofighters based at Amari (Estonia) and of planes F-16 Dutch, based in Malbork (Poland) led about 70 interceptions on the Baltic Sea in the last 4 months, according to Lithuanian Ministry of Defense sources.
(NGV)
