Italian Typhoons deploy to Iceland on NATO air mission

The Italian Air Force has deployed six of its Typhoon fighter aircraft and a detachment of 140 personnel to Iceland.

The Italian detachment will be based at Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, and fly its fighter jets in support of NATO’s mission that provide Airborne Surveillance and Interception Capabilities to meet Iceland’s Peacetime Preparedness Needs.

Since 2008, NATO has conducted this peacetime mission, which is specific and unique to Iceland. The focus of the peacetime preparedness mission is to link up fighter capabilities with Iceland’s air surveillance integrated into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System.

The Italian Minister of Defence, Roberta Pinotti said:

“We operate in many areas to mitigate threats and prevent risks. 

We have to provide our contribution to make this world more peaceful.”

This is the second time after 2013 for the Italian Air Force to execute this mission in Iceland. The deployment underlines NATO’s resolve, commitment and solidarity as well as Allied interoperability and cohesion.

Three times a year, Allies deploy fighter aircraft in Iceland for several weeks to ensure the Alliance can conduct full-scale peacetime air policing with minimum delay if required by real world events.