NATO Protecting Baltic Skies Against Russian Threat

For the last two years, the small country of Estonia on the Russian border has hosted the NATO jets which protect the skies above the Baltic states.

Incursions by Russian aircraft have become increasingly common and NATO aircraft are on permanent standby to intervene.

The Baltic Air Policing Mission at Estonia's Amari Airbase was established following Russia's annexing of Crimea in 2014. 

Many of the Baltic states neighbouring Russia fear their sovereignty may be under threat and rely on the NATO alliance for help. The Commander of the Amari Base, Maj Lauri Kuusekänd said: 

"Since 2014, we have seen increased activity from our eastern neighbour. The necessity of NATO's alliance and deterrence in the region has been crucial ever since."

The RAF has completed two tours at Amari Airbase and it is currently the turn of the German Air Force.

Five German Eurofighters are stationed at the airbase for a minimum of four months which is a necessary commitment according to Lt Col Bjorn Andersen from the German Air Force:

"We’re here for assurance measures for our NATO partners, so that they are not alone and we can protect the integrity of the NATO airspace." 

The Estonian Airforce is the smallest in NATO and does not have any fighter jets, so relies heavily on the alliance to secure its skies and intercept intruders into its airspace. 

Russia has called the expansion of the Amari Airbase an openly provocative step.

During the Soviet era, scores of planes and missiles were kept at the base but today only the bunkers remain, a reminder of the past Estonia is determined to leave behind.