Italian Aircraft Intercept Drone in Lithuanian Airspace

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Late yesterday evening, two Eurofighter F-2000 fighter jets from the Italian Air Force’s “Baltic Thunder III” Air Task Force took off on a scramble mission as part of NATO’s air defense mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank, following a violation of Lithuanian airspace by a drone.

The Italian crews intercepted the unmanned aircraft and neutralized it in accordance with Alliance operational procedures. This is the second such incident involving our fighter jets in the span of a month.

“It is also because of incidents like this that the presence of our military personnel on the Eastern Flank is essential to ensuring collective security. Today, I will be there by their side to convey the support of the government and the Italian people and to thank them, on behalf of the Italian people, for the invaluable work they do.”

So said Minister Guido Crosetto.

Following yesterday’s visit to Bulgaria, the Minister is continuing his mission today along the Alliance’s Eastern Flank, with stops in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, where he will hold several institutional meetings and visit the Italian contingents.
In defense of allied skies.