RAF warplanes begin to cover the skies over Estonia and the Baltic States

HELSINKI, April 4 – RIA Novosti. The ceremony for the transfer of the task of protecting the airspace over the Baltic states from the German Air Force to the British Air Force unit took place at the Emari airbase near Tallinn. Centre Estonian Defense Forces

“British Air Force pilots, together with Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes, replaced the German Air Force unit with the same type of fighters. The aircraft arriving in Emari will be on duty 24 hours a day at the airbase. If necessary, conduct flights to determine the ownership of aircraft approaching the country’s airspace. and carry out regular training flights.

Since 2014 he has taken part in three air security missions in Ämari, UK.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said: “Estonia greatly appreciates the NATO air security mission that has been conducted from Ämari Air Base since 2014. This mission carries a deterrent message and shows NATO’s unwavering will to protect not only Estonia but the entire alliance. ” said at the ceremony.

The Baltic states do not have aircraft suitable for air patrol, therefore, since April 2004 (after joining NATO), aircraft of the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, located at the Zokniai airport in Lithuania, five kilometers from Siauliai, have been deploying additional NATO aircraft since 2014. besides the Ämari airbase, which has become an area, they alternately deal with airspace protection.