Hungary ends NATO air policing mission in Baltics, Spain to continue

VILNIUS - Hungary is ending its NATO air policing mission in the Baltic states, but Spain, which has been supporting it, will continue patrolling.

The Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai will host a changeover ceremony for the Allied Air Force detachments carrying out the mission on Thursday.

The incoming Spanish troops, deployed with eight Eurofighter Typhoon jets, will take over the air policing mission from the Hungarian detachment that has been serving with four Gripen fighters, as well as from the Spanish contingent that has been patrolling with eight Eurofighter Typhoons.

The mission involved around 300 troops, including pilots, technicians, medical personnel, support teams and specialists in communications and other fields.

The Lithuanian Defense Ministry told BNS that four of the Spanish jets will be assigned to the air policing mission and the other four to the rotational air defense model.

Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas, representatives of NATO's Air Command, ambassadors of the participating countries and officials from the city of Siauliai will attend the changeover ceremony.

The Alliance's air policing mission in the Baltic states is carried out from bases in Lithuania and Estonia.