Turkish F-16s arrive in Latvia for NATO Baltic air policing mission

Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets have arrived at Latvia’s Lielvarde Military Base as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, the Latvian Defence Ministry said.

The aircraft flew from Amari Air Base in neighbouring Estonia, where Turkish forces are supporting NATO efforts to protect the airspace of the Baltic states, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said the deployment demonstrated NATO’s readiness to protect allied airspace and respond to potential threats. He added that the presence of allied forces strengthened Latvia’s security and NATO’s eastern flank.

The latest rotation of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission at Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania is led by Italy, which took over on July 31 from French and Romanian contingents. The Turkish deployment in Estonia is supporting the Italian-led mission.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO in 2004 and are located on the alliance’s eastern flank.

By Sabina Mammadli