Türkiye deploys F-16 jets to Estonia for NATO Air Policing Mission

Türkiye has deployed five F-16 fighter jets to Estonia to take part in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Thursday, July 30.

The deployment, which includes aircraft and personnel stationed at Ämari Air Base, will run from August 1 to November 30, 2026.

“As part of NATO’s enhanced Baltic Air Policing mission from August 1 to November 30, 2026, the deployment of our five F-16 fighter jets and personnel to Ämari Air Base in Estonia has been completed,” the ministry said.

Türkiye will take over the mission from Portugal, with a handover ceremony scheduled for July 31. “During the mission, our units will contribute to ensuring the security of the Baltic states’ airspace within NATO’s joint air defence activities and maintain the security of the alliance’s airspace by performing round-the-clock quick reaction alert duties,” the ministry added.

Bloomberg reported in December that NATO had asked Türkiye to provide F-16s earlier than planned, with a rotation in Estonia expected between August and December 2026.

The Turkish Air Force has previously participated in NATO air policing missions in Poland in 2021 and Romania between late 2023 and early 2024.

By Tamilla Hasanova