Reinforcement of air policing in the Baltics
The Bundeswehr (german armed forces) has been supporting the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since 2014 in the NATO mission to strengthen air policing in the Baltic states. Germany participates in a joint military contingent for at least four months every year.
Since 2004, NATO's mission - Baltic Air Policing has ensured the protection of Baltic airspace as a collective and defensive peacetime measure. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania themselves do not have the means to adequately ensure the integrity of the airspace over their territories.
In addition, the operation contributes to increasing flight safety in the adjacent international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The aim is to ensure uniform security in NATO airspace, to support the Baltic states in maintaining their national sovereignty, and, especially after the turn of the times with Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine, to send a clear, unmistakable security policy signal to any aggressors.
The Bundeswehr has been participating in the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission since 2005 by sending fighter aircraft, initially with the F-4F Phantom II, and since 2009 with the Eurofighter weapon system. Since 2014, the Bundeswehr, under the leadership of the Air Force, has contributed a contingent every year to strengthening the Baltic Air Policing (VAPB) from Ämari Air Base in Estonia. This makes the Bundeswehr and especially the Air Force one of the most important troop contributors and continually underlines the reliable partnership with the three Baltic states.
Germany is currently assuming responsibility for the VAPB mission again from March until probably the end of November 2024. For the Tactical Air Force Squadron 74 (TaktLwG 74) from Neuburg an der Donau, which as the lead group will provide the main contingent for the next nine months, five Eurofighters are available on site to secure the airspace 24/7 during Quick Reaction Alert missions NATO's external borders. The Eurofighters set off from Upper Bavaria to the Baltics the day before. At a farewell roll call on February 26 in Neuburg, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder emphasized the necessity of the mission and, in the presence of the families, thanked the contingent for their commitment and for their willingness to use their efforts to ensure German participation in NATO alliance obligations.
In 2024, the German operational contingent will operate for the first time from the Latvian air force base Lielvarde, approximately 50 km southeast of the capital Riga.
Source: Bundeswehr/Federal Ministry of Defense
Today we present you a new episode. Have fun watching! Feel free to give us your feedback in the comments and don't forget to subscribe and leave a like.
We are on #youtube, #instagram and #tiktok and present you our new BUNDESWEHR SERIES. From now on you can experience the most exciting and exciting units of the #Bundeswehr in no particular order.