Operating from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, EF-18M fighters of the Spanish Air and Space Force carried out today, January 28, the interception of Russian Navy combat aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Thanks to images shared by Spain’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (EMAD), it was confirmed that the aircraft involved were Sukhoi Su-30SM2 fighter-bombers belonging to Russian Naval Aviation.
At present, and following the rotation that took place during the second half of the year involving Eurofighters from Wing 11, the Spanish Air and Space Force maintains a detachment deployed in Lithuania consisting of eleven EF-18M fighters from Wing 15.
Integrated within the “Vilkas” Aerotactical Detachment and operating from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, the deployment also includes 150 personnel and an A400M transport and aerial refueling aircraft from Wing 31. These assets are tasked with carrying out Air Policing missions in the Baltic region in support of NATO’s Operation Eastern Sentinel.
Regarding the incident reported by EMAD, the Spanish Joint Chiefs of Staff stated: “… F-18M aircraft from Wing 15, deployed in Lithuania as part of the DAT Vilkas detachment, intercepted Russian Air Force fighter aircraft flying in international waters near allied airspace.”
They added: “The Spanish fighters identified the aircraft and escorted them until they entered their own airspace. The F-18s then returned to Šiauliai Air Base without incident.”
Based on the images released, it was also possible to observe the configuration in which the Spanish EF-18M aircraft are carrying out their mission in the Baltic, equipped with short-range IRIS-T air-to-air missiles and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.
Medium-duration inspection of EF-18M fighters
Prior to today’s events, Spanish personnel deployed in Šiauliai conducted various scheduled inspection and maintenance tasks on the EF-18M fighters in order to ensure their operational readiness.
In detail, EMAD explained: “… Scheduled maintenance inspections of the F-18M are carried out every 100 flight hours and alternate between short-duration (H1), medium-duration (H2), and long-duration (H3) inspections, in accordance with the established program. Progressively, each inspection increases in technical complexity.”
They added: “During the nearly two months since Wing 15 began its deployment to form the DAT ‘Vilkas’ in Lithuania, four H1 inspections and one H2 inspection have been carried out, the latter standing out due to its technical complexity. This has generated a potential of 500 flight hours for the F-18M fleet, minimizing the impact that overseas deployments may have on the aircraft.”
Photos: Spanish Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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