Hungarian Gripen's arrive in Lithuania to take on NATO's Air Policing mission
NATO Allied Air Command
Jul 30 2025
RAMSTEIN, Germany -- Hungarian Air Force has deployed JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, as they take on NATO's Air Policing mission relieving, alongside with the Spanish Air and Space Force, the Polish and Romanian detachments.
The Hungarian' will deploy with four JAS 9 Gripens along with pilots, technicians and support staff for the next four months. This deployment marks the fourth time Hungary has taken on Air Policing from Lithuania.
"Collective defence means uninterrupted vigilance," said Lt. Col. Péter Tősér, Detachement Commander. "This rotation demonstrates our readiness to protect every inch of Alliance airspace alongside our Spanish counterparts", he added.
Operating as part of NATO's integrated Air Policing framework, the Hungarian Gripens will be on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) alongside the detachment of eight Spanish Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
During their four month deployment, the Hungarian Gripens will engage in joint training and live flying exercises with the Spanish colleagues and the hosting nation, reinforcing shared procedures, tactics, and interoperability at the tactical level. The deployment of two detachments at Šiauliai allows for more flexible operational planning of NATO Air Policing in the region.
Since 2004, NATO has maintained a continuous air policing mission in the Baltic states, using rotating fighter detachments from member countries to safeguard regional security and demonstrate solidarity. The deployment of Hungary's JAS 39 Gripens and Spain's Eurofighters underscores this enduring commitment.
Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office
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