News item | 01-04-2025 | 17:16
They intercept 23 Russian planes on the NATO-East flank. That is the proceeds after 4 months of airspace monitoring by Dutch F-35 combat aircraft. Their task is now. Portugal takes over the job.
The air force detachment with 4 aircraft and around 150 soldiers operated from ämari airbase in Estonia. The fighter jets monitor the boundary of the NATO treaty area. This also included the ‘Quick Reaction Alert. ‘ It was activated when a device approached the NATO air space without identifying.
With the F-35s, the Netherlands contributed to the deterrence of Russia. Furthermore, the combat aircraft Estonia and surrounding NATO partners reassure with their presence.
Down drones
In addition to the security task, the detachment also practiced with allies. Such as a training in which F-35s dropped above the Baltic Sea drones. This was done by firing AIM-9 Sidewinder rockets.
Another exercise was about being used quickly, to and from a foreign basis. This so -called ‘cross-service‘Formed subject matter for technical staff at ämari airbase. That had to take on ‘strange’ devices, for example, because Estonia does not have the F-35.
The fact that the work of the detachment was seen as important was also apparent from the visits from the Netherlands. Both King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister Ruben Brekelmans came to Estland. They were personally informed of the activities of the Air Force.