French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter jets have deployed to Lithuania to lead NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, replacing a Spanish detachment.
Four Rafale aircraft are now operating from Šiauliai Air Base under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence system, maintaining Quick Reaction Alert duties to monitor and, if necessary, intercept aircraft approaching Allied airspace.
The deployment forms part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which provides continuous air defence coverage for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The mission is conducted under the Eastern Sentry framework, which NATO says supports a more integrated and responsive air defence posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
“For our pilots and personnel, deploying to Lithuania is both a responsibility and a privilege,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre, chief of the French detachment. “Different aircraft, different nations, but one mission: to ensure the security of the Alliance.”
France’s latest rotation marks its ninth deployment to Lithuania, alongside previous contributions to the mission from Estonia. The French contingent is operating alongside Romanian Air Force F-16s also based at Šiauliai, creating a dual-detachment presence intended to strengthen surveillance and response capacity.
According to NATO, the combined deployment enhances operational flexibility, allowing Allied forces to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining a continuous presence in the region. The integration of different aircraft types within NATO command structures is also intended to demonstrate interoperability across Allied air forces.
The Baltic Air Policing mission remains a core element of NATO’s deterrence posture, with regular rotations of Allied aircraft designed to ensuree a persistent and credible defensive presence in the region.
