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German »Eurofighter« (archive photo)
Photo: RAIGO PAJULA / AFP
After eight months, the Bundeswehr ended its participation in the NATO mission for air surveillance over the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
An air force squadron handed over command of the Estonian air force base Ämari to Italy in the presence of Estonia's Defense Minister Kalle Laanet, the Estonian armed forces announced.
Since September 2020, five Eurofighters and varying contingents of German soldiers have been stationed at the base in Estonia - first a squadron from Wittmund, then a unit from Neuburg an der Donau.
In addition, the Air Force had integrated a deployable air defense command post into the mission.
The NATO states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which border on Russia, do not have their own fighter jets.
That is why the allies have been securing the Baltic airspace in regular rotation since 2004 as part of the “Nato Air Policing Baltic States”.
Germany has been one of the most important troop contributors since the beginning of air surveillance.
The Air Force has already taken on the task twelve times.
mjm / dpa
