Allied fighter jets to reinforce Latvia’s airspace during elections

Four German Air Force Eurofighter fighter jets will arrive at the National Armed Forces’ Lielvarde military base in late September to temporarily reinforce Latvia’s airspace protection, including during elections for the 15th Saeima, LSM reported. The Italian and Turkish air forces will also provide additional support, the Ministry of Defence said.

The German aircraft will operate as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing North mission. Their deployment will also test NATO’s ability to quickly move and accommodate allied forces, as well as Lielvarde base’s readiness to host and support allied air forces.

Italy, whose contingent currently leads NATO’s Baltic air-policing mission from the Siauliai air base in Lithuania, has agreed to take on additional responsibilities to strengthen Latvia’s airspace protection.

Turkish fighter jets based at Ämari air base in Estonia will also contribute while continuing their primary tasks in the NATO air-defence mission. The Turkish Air Force is currently operating F-16 fighter jets from Ämari.

The deployment follows an initiative by Defence Minister Raimonds Melkis, after Latvia asked its NATO allies to strengthen airspace protection and response capabilities during the elections.

Concerns about a possible threat to Latvia’s airspace and its impact on the elections arose after repeated warnings in May and June, mainly in Latgale, about an aerial threat from drones entering from abroad. Election organisers and responsible services have been considering preventive measures and what to do in the event of a threat, including guarding ballot boxes and potentially extending polling station opening hours.