The NATO air command reported that two Italian F-35 fight jets from the Ämari air base in Estonia started to intercept a Russian military aircraft that operated near the airspace of the alliance.
According to NATO, the start of the Baltic Air People An-124 Condora heavy transport aircraft in Russia, recognized. The flight attracted attention because it was traveling over international waters without a flight schedule, without active transponders and without communication with air traffic control.
The Italian aircraft, operated by the Task Force Air of the 32nd and 6th season, carried out the interception campaign in order to monitor the safe course of the Condor. The NATO command emphasized that the operation demonstrated the commitment of the alliance for the protection of the Baltic States and the safety of the eastern flank.
Collective defense in the Baltic Sea
The use of the Italian jets is part of the constant NATO mission to secure the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the rotating system of air forces. The presence of Italy at the ämari base strengthens the integrated approach of collective defense, in which the allies of the deterrent and surveillance share the limits of the alliance.
The AN-124 Condor, one of the largest military transport aircraft in the world, was escorted until it left the monitored area. After completing the mission, the Italian F-35 returned safely to the base.
Increasing Russian activity
Italian pilots have already participated in several interceptors in the Baltic Sea and supported allied partners in view of the increasing Russian military activity in the region. These missions included encounters with fighter planes, bombers and transport aircraft.
Source: x @nato_aircom. This content was created with the help of AI and checked by the editorial team.
