Italy, France ready to police Baltic skies from Lithuania

NATO’s Baltic Air Policing continues Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania with Italy continuing as the lead nation and France joining as augmenting nation. Both Allies are combining their efforts protecting the airspace in the region for the coming four months.

For over 20 years, handing over the key to the Baltic Airspace has been the symbol of what this Alliance represents: the strong collective will to combine efforts and assets to defend our common values, to display our commitment to security and to show durable and reliable cohesion
Representatives from NATO, the Host and Sending nations attended a formal ceremony on November 28, which marked an internal handover of Italian Air Force Eurofighter detachments and welcomes France to Šiauliai.

“For over 20 years, handing over the key to the Baltic Airspace has been the symbol of what this Alliance represents: the strong collective will to combine efforts and assets to defend our common values, to display our commitment to security and to show durable and reliable cohesion,” said Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany. “All this is required more than ever in times when we have to stand together, protect our people and territory and help our partners to defend freedom in Europe,” he added.

The French Air and Space Force Rafale detachment commanded by Major Mathieu Encatassamy (centre) will work hand in glove with Italy and Host Nation Lithuania to continue to demonstrate readiness and commitment. Photo by Lithuanian Air Force.

An Italian Eurofighter detachment continues to lead NATO Baltic Air Policing at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.
Photo courtesy of Italian Air Force.

French Rafale jets joined Italy at Šiauliai, augmenting NATO’s Air Policing capability in the Baltic Sea region and showcasing Alliance cohesion and solidarity. Photo courtesy of French Air and Space Force.
Italy has been deployed in the region in support of the NATO Air Policing mission along the eastern flank seamlessly in the last years. In 2024, they flew missions out of Malbork, Poland, initially with F-35s and later with the Eurofighter. Besides the fighter detachments, Italy also transferred its Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) aircraft to NATO flying sorties in support of enhanced Vigilance Activities from Šiauliai. Italy continues to lead NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission with a fresh Eurofighter detachment into 2025.

“Today, after having achieved more than 600 flight hours – actually over 800 hours including our CAEW aircraft – over 30 A-Scrambles and some 50 intercepted military aircraft from Russia, we hand over the mission with pride to the next Italian detachment and our French colleagues” said Colonel Michele Nasto, commander of the outgoing Italian detachment. The incoming Italian detachment commander, Colonel Roberto Massarotto, upon receiving the key to the Baltic Airspace, reiterated the symbolic relevance of the ceremony as one of the most significant examples of what NATO stands for and a demonstration of its strength. “At the same time, this key represents a great responsibility for. Rest assured we will take on the task of ensuring the Baltic Air Policing with the same level of commitment we do at home,” he added.

“NATO’s air policing mission is more important than ever. We are seeing hostile countries intensifying hybrid attacks, provocations and acts of sabotage on the territories of NATO allies. Reliable protection of NATO airspace in the Baltic States is a key element of deterrence and defence. I thank our Italian and French allies for their commitment to the security of our region,” said Vaidotas Urbelis, Defence Policy Director of the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence.

Effective December 1, French Air Force Rafale fighters will augment the Italian Eurofighters in Lithuania, offering NATO an effective Air Policing capability. The France has participated in NATO Air Policing in the Baltic region since 2007; this year marks the twelfth time the French Air and Space Force deploys jets, making them another staunch supporter of the enduring collective mission.

“It’s a great pleasure for us to participate in this collective mission as a NATO nation,” said Major Mathieu Encatassamy, French Rafale Detachment Commander. “The integrity of the Baltic Sea area is important for European sovereignty, that’s why France has been contributing regularly to its protection,” he added.

The additional second detachment at Šiauliai allows for a more flexible operational planning of NATO Air Policing in the region. The deployed Allies benefit from additional opportunities to conduct training with other regional air, ground, naval and special forces or to practice Agile Combat Employments further enhancing skills, interoperability and resilience of our air forces.

The Baltic Air Policing mission in the air, the enhanced Forward Presence on the ground and enhanced Vigilance Activities along the entire eastern flank are elements of NATO’s visible and steadfast commitment to the Allies’ collective security. This is how the Alliance is facing the enormous challenges the present global security situation creates for its readiness and commitment to execute common task of ensuring and preserving stability and peace.