NATO jets in Baltics scrambled twice last week to escort Russian warplanes

  • 2016-06-20
  • BNS/TBT STAFF/VILNIUS

NATO fighter jets serving in the NATO air-policing mission in the Baltic States were assembled twice last week to identify and escort Russian military aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, the Lithuanian National Defense Ministry said on Monday.

On June 14, NATO jets escorted an AN-26 transport aircraft on its way from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia, which was flying in accordance with pre-filed flight plans, was maintaining radio communication with air traffic control centres, and had its onboard transponder switched on; as well as two Su-27s, which did not have pre-filed flight plans, had their onboard transponders off, and were not maintaining radio communication.

NATO jets last Friday identified and escorted a Tu-134 transport aircraft on its way from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, which was flying in accordance with a pre-filed flight plan, was maintaining radio communication, and had his onboard transponder on. Additionally, NATO jets escorted Su-27s, which did not have pre-filed flight plans, had their onboard transponders off, and were not maintaining radio communication.

The air-policing mission from Siauliai, in Lithuania, is currently conducted by a Portuguese contingent with F-16 fighter jets. From Estonia, the mission is carried out by Britain with its Eurofighter Typhoon jets.