Polish Aviators Headed Towards Lithuania

Baltic Air Policing is a real-life sign of NATO solidarity and of the idea of Collective Defense, in line with the definition of the Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

During the event Siemoniak stressed the significance the Baltic Air Policing deployment has, within the context of the NATO defence and security system. Minister noted that the Baltic states, which are not in possession of own air-defense assets, such as jet fighters, gain a capability to defend their own airspaces by being a host to the operations – as the Polish MoD informs.

Air Policing deployment is arranged by NATO in order to implement the rule of indivisible security. According to that rule, all of the NATO member states, particularly those which may not have sufficient combat capabilities at their disposal within certain scope – need to feel confident that they will be able to receive help, should such need arise.

This rotation of Baltic Air Policing additionally involves Italian pilots with their Typhoon jets, who are also operating from the Šiauliai Air Base, in Lithuania. They will receive support from the Spanish Eurofighter Typhoons operating from the Estonian Amari AB, 4 Polish MiG-29 Fulcrums and finally, the Belgian F-16 jets, which are going to operate from the Malbork AB.

I would like to kindly thank all of the participants of the PKW ORLIK 6 detatchment for their readiness to take part in this specific mission. Over the Baltic states you will be involved in tasks which not only would require aviation craftsmanship but also mental toughness and great responsibility. I can wish you to fulfill your tasks safely, and to return to your homes safely.

NATO augmented Baltic Air Policing operations due to the threat posed by the activities undertaken by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The Lithuanian detatchment has been reinforced quantitatively, and additional fighters have been deployed to Estonia and Poland.