The German armed forces have handed over leadership of the NATO air surveillance mission over the Baltic states to the Netherlands after a nine-month period.
“The NATO Air Police is of the utmost importance for the security of the people of Latvia and the Baltic states,” German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz said at a ceremony at the Latvian air base in Lielvarde.
Germany took over the role in March 2024, deploying up to five Eurofighter jets and transferring contingents of around 200 German soldiers to Latvia for the task.
“Germany is and will remain a reliable friend and partner of all Baltic states. And the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) is firmly on the side of Latvia and the entire Baltic region,” said Gerhartz, who flew to Latvia himself in a Eurofighter.
The Air Fore says German pilots had to scramble into this area on NATO’s eastern flank a total of 54 times during the nine months of the mission.
During this deployment, unidentified aircraft without transponder signals or radio contact were detected in international airspace over the Baltic Sea – mainly Russian military aircraft.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania do not have their own fighter jets. NATO has therefore been securing the Baltic airspace since 2004. To this end, the allies regularly send combat aircraft and personnel to the Baltic states in Northeastern Europe.
German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz (C) hands over badges to soldiers during the handover ceremony for the NATO Air Policing Mission. The German Air Force transfers responsibility for monitoring the airspace above Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Netherlands. Alexander Welscher/dpa
German contingent commander Lieutenant Colonel Christian Blohm (L) and German Air Force Inspector Ingo Gerhartz speak during the handover ceremony of the NATO air police mission. The Air Force transfers responsibility for monitoring the airspace above Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Netherlands. Alexander Welscher/dpa
