NATO forces are ready to depart from the Lielvārde base within 15 minutes

He emphasized that major infrastructure improvements have taken place at the military base “Lielvārde”, which made it possible to host a patrol mission. The mission not only improved the infrastructure of the military base, but also trained highly qualified personnel.

NATO Baltic Airspace Patrol Commander Sven Jacobs informed journalists that there are currently around 200 German soldiers at the military base. In total, 26 aircraft are deployed at the military base.

He said that aircraft are often launched from the military base to escort Russian aircraft that are close to the Baltic airspace, or when using international airspace – do not turn on the identifier that allows them to follow him in the airspace.

Jacobs said NATO forces are ready to depart within 15 minutes of receiving a signal of a potential breach.

It has already been announced that since March 1, for the first time for nine months, the rotation of the NATO Baltic airspace patrol mission is staying at the “Lielvārde” military base of the National Armed Forces. This mission will stay in Latvia while the repairs are underway at the Estonian Air Force base in Emari.

Currently, the patrolling of the Baltic airspace is ensured by soldiers of the German armed forces and military aircraft “Eurofighter”.

The NATO Baltic airspace patrol mission proves that we are united in the alliance and that the Baltic airspace is continuously protected.

Since 2004, when the Baltic states were admitted to the alliance, patrolling has been carried out from the Šiauliai air base in Lithuania, but since 2014, the support mission has also been carried out from the Emari base in Estonia.