F-35s kept 23 Russians at bay

They intercepted 23 Russian aircraft on the NATO eastern flank. This is the result after 4 months of airspace surveillance by Dutch F-35 fighter jets. Their mission is now complete. Portugal will take over the task.

The air force detachment with 4 aircraft and about 150 military personnel operated from Ämari Air Base in Estonia. The fighter jets monitored the border of the NATO treaty area. This also included the 'quick reaction alert'. This was activated when an aircraft approached NATO airspace without identifying itself.

With the F-35s, the Netherlands contributed to deterring Russia. Furthermore, the fighter jets reassured Estonia and surrounding NATO partners with their presence.

In addition to the security task, the detachment also trained with allies. For example, a training where F-35s shot down drones over the Baltic Sea. This was done by firing AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles at them.

Another exercise focused on being rapidly deployable to and from a foreign base. This so-called ‘cross-servicing’ also served as learning material for technical personnel at Ämari Air Base. They had to accommodate ‘foreign’ aircraft, as Estonia does not have F-35s itself.

The importance of the detachments work was also evident from visits from the Netherlands. Both King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Minister Ruben Brekelmans visited Estonia. They were personally briefed on the activities of the air force.