NATO allies are ready to defend every inch of the Alliance territory against any threat. The airspace of the Eastern flank is safeguarded by NATO – allied fighter jets have been patrolling the Baltic skies for 18 years and the air posture has been enhanced by additional allied forces in reaction to the ongoing war waged by Russia against Ukraine. Currently, the Baltic skies are protected from the Air Base in Šiauliai by Polish and Danish fighter jets F-16 as well as 5th generation US F-35 fighter jets. The base is also hosting UK CH-47 and AH-64 helicopters.
NATO is also protecting the skies across the Alliance with around 130 combat aircraft currently on alert. NATO will maintain a state of enhanced vigilance for as long as necessary. This is a robust posture to deter and if required defend against any threat to Alliance territory and populations. In response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Alliance has activated NATO’s Deterrence and Defence Plans in the Central and Eastern Europe region, enabling the deployment of NATO Response Force in the region, comprising land, air, maritime and special operations elements.
