NATO has changed the format of its air mission in the Baltic states. This was announced by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. According to him, the Baltic Air Policing mission has officially been transformed into an air defence mission.
“One of the key outcomes of this summit is the reclassification of NATO’s air policing mission into a NATO air defence mission. This will significantly enhance Lithuania’s air defence capabilities.”, he said.
He added that “broader operational algorithms” would make it possible to provide greater security for the airspace.
In recent months, incursions by drones into the airspace of the Baltic states have become more frequent. Air raid alerts have repeatedly been declared in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. NATO fighter jets have already shot down drones in Estonia and Latvia, but with the mission’s new format, such decisions may be made more frequently.
