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NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachments to changed over

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-08-01
International cooperation

On 31 July 2025 Allied Air Force Detachments conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states rotated at a ceremony at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai.

After a four-month tour of duty completed by Polish and Romanian airmen, the Hungarian Air Force took charge of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states with four Gripen fighter aircraft, while the supporting detachment with eight Eurofighter Typhoon is contributed by Spain.

"The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Balti states is a symbol of continued long-term military cooperation and strategic trustiness. Each rotation falls in as uninterrupted embodiment of Allied commitment: protection of NATO airspace, operational readiness and response on fleek as situation requires. Lithuania appreciates this kind of practical security commitment - Allied troops standing side by side with the Lithuanian colleagues on a day-to-day basis enhance resilience of the eastern flank and send a clear message to whoever might consider testing the Alliance's borders," said Vice Minister of National Defence Loreta Maskaliovienė.

The changeover ceremony y was attended by Minister of Defence of Hungary Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky on a visit in Lithuania.

The Hungarian Air Force will be deployed to air-police the Baltic skies for the fourth time and the Spanish - for the ninth time.

The outgoing Polish and Romanian airmen were guarding the Baltic airspace with eighth F-16 fighter jets. The mission was conducted by approx. 300 military personnel, including pilots, technicians, medical personnel, support groups, specialists of communication and other areas. While deployed in Šiauliai, the contingents maintained community engagement, welcomed student and pupil excursions and took part in city events.

NATO Allies began deploying air assets to guard the Baltic airspace since March 2004 when the Baltic states became members of NATO. Since then, 17 Allies have protected the Baltic airspace. The Hungarian-Spanish rotation is the 69th one since the establishment of the mission.