Portuguese Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon fighters deployed in Estonia recently intercepted an Il-76 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces. This was the first alert to which the Portuguese contingent has responded since beginning its rotation at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base.
According to information released by NATO Air Command, the deployment of the Portuguese Air Force’s F-16AM fighters to identify the Russian aircraft constituted “…the first Alpha Scramble for the Portuguese detachment since it assumed NATO’s enhanced air policing mission at Ämari Air Base…” The Portuguese contingent moved to the Baltic country as part of NATO’s rotation system, taking over from the Italian Air Force.
It is worth recalling that the Portuguese Air Force began its deployment in Estonia on April 1, and its presence will continue until July 31. The Portuguese contingent is made up of four F-16AM fighter jets and 95 personnel. Aircraft and personnel are stationed at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, as part of the enhanced Air Policing 2026 mission (eAP26).
Air policing and local training
During its stay in Estonia, the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) contingent will remain on maximum alert to carry out air policing missions in order to ensure the integrity of the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. At the same time, personnel and F-16AM Fighting Falcon fighter jets will also take part in exercises and train with air, land, and naval forces present in the region in order to improve interoperability and strengthen cooperation among allied countries. “…This is Portugal’s ninth participation in this type of deployment in the Baltic countries, and the second time it has operated from Ämari Air Base…” the FAP reported.
As for the detachment deployed in Estonia, it is made up of multidisciplinary personnel with specific capabilities ranging from ensuring the operability of the F-16M weapons system to the protection of infrastructure and deployed personnel. It also includes personnel assigned to the regional Information and Control Centers, allowing full integration within NATO’s air surveillance system.
The Portuguese F-16AMs replaced the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the Italian Air Force. The Italian contingent had considerable activity during its presence in Estonia. One of the most recent incidents occurred in mid-March, when a Russian Navy Su-30SM interceptor briefly entered Estonian airspace. For approximately one minute, the Russian aircraft flew over Estonian territory without filing a flight plan or establishing communication with air traffic services, forcing an Alpha Scramble by the Italian fighter aircraft.
Cover image: NATO Air Command
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