During the course of yesterday, NATO’s Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) announced that two Rafale B fighter jets deployed by the French Air and Space Force in Lithuania intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft that was flying in the southern Baltic region. According to the available information, the French aircraft took off from Šiauliai Air Base after an Alpha alert was issued by AIRCOM, the base being a key hub for the deployment of assets involved in air policing missions on the Alliance’s northern flank.
Quoting the statement issued on social media by AIRCOM: “Two French Air and Space Force Rafale B launched today from Šiauliai following a NATO Alpha scramble. The crews safely identified and safely escorted a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying over the southern Baltic region, along the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. This was the first interception carried out by the French detachment since the start of its Baltic Air Policing mission on April 1.”
It is worth recalling in this regard that the French Air and Space Force has taken over from a detachment previously deployed in the region by its Spanish counterpart, something that was formally completed during March. To fulfill its obligations במסגרת air policing operations, Paris has deployed four Rafale fighters to the aforementioned Šiauliai Air Base, where they were integrated into NATO’s integrated air and missile defense system as a quick reaction force; it is also worth mentioning that Lithuania, as the host nation, does not have its own fighters capable of carrying out the mission.
On the other hand, reviewing the French Air and Space Force’s track record in this type of mission, it can be highlighted that this deployment is the ninth one carried out in Lithuania; Romanian Air Force F-16 fighters are also participating in it. In addition, the service has also contributed to NATO airspace surveillance from Ämari Air Base in Estonia, which reflects its long-standing participation.
Finally, it should not go unmentioned that earlier this same week the interception of an Il-76 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Baltic was also reported. In that case, the operation was carried out by F-16 fighters belonging to the Portuguese Air Force, based at the same Ämari Air Base, where they had also recently arrived to replace the assets deployed by the Italian Air Force.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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