Germany is sending four Eurofighter jets to the Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia to protect the airspace of this country during the parliamentary elections on October 3. The German Ministry of Defense has stated that this operation is in response to security concerns arising from repeated violations of the country's airspace following drone attacks.
Details of the Jet Deployment
The four Eurofighter jets will be transferred from the Tactical Air Wing 74 base located in Neuburg, Germany, for one week from late September to early October to Latvia. The German Ministry of Defense has also announced that Latvia has requested additional assistance from other NATO countries to secure its airspace.
Security Situation in Latvia
This year, Latvia has faced several incidents related to drones. In June, NATO fighters shot down a foreign drone in the east of the country, and in August, another drone was destroyed in the skies over Latvia. Officials later announced that this drone belonged to Ukraine and had likely entered Latvia's airspace from Belarus. Additionally, the Latvian Ministry of Defense has warned that with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the likelihood of more drones entering the country's airspace exists.
Germany's Role in NATO Missions
German fighters will operate under NATO's enhanced air policing mission in Northern Europe. This mission is part of NATO's integrated air and missile defense system, and Germany will also send several dozen military personnel along with these jets to Latvia. Furthermore, Germany recently announced that it will send five Eurofighter jets and about 120 soldiers to the Ämari Air Base in Estonia from December to March for the regular rotation of NATO air policing. This mission marks the seventh time Germany has been present in this part of Estonia.
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