Turkish F-16s begin NATO Baltic air policing mission from Estonia

Five Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets deployed to Estonia for NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission have begun carrying out operational patrols, Estonia's Defence Ministry has said.

It noted that the deployment of five F-16 fighter jets and their personnel to Estonia was completed on July 31, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“They began performing their duties on August 1. The mission will continue until November 30, 2026," the ministry added.

The Turkish Air Force previously took part in NATO's air policing missions over Poland from July 6 to September 15, 2021, and Romania from November 30, 2023, to April 2, 2024.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov