Lithuania: First Scramble for Italian Eurofighters on NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission

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Today, two Italian Air Force Eurofighter F-2000 aircraft from the "Baltic Thunder III" Air Task Force took off from Šiauliai Air Base on the orders of NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, to intercept two Russian military aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

Upon reaching the designated area, the Italian Air Force crews identified and escorted the aircraft, operating in full compliance with the procedures established by the Atlantic Alliance.

The operation marks the first scramble carried out by the Italian contingent since the start of its current deployment in Lithuania and confirms the Air Task Force's full operational readiness. The Task Force is committed to ensuring the surveillance and defence of the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as part of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, contributing to the security of the Alliance's eastern flank.

Background Information