According to a press release issued by NATO in December 2024, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) deployed a detachment of F-35 fighter jets to the newly renovated Ämari Air Base in Estonia.
The F-35s are the first NATO aircraft to launch from the airfield since its extensive runway refurbishment, which was supported by Luxembourg and NATO.
“Very fittingly, the first NATO jets to use this newly renovated runway will be fifth generation fighter aircraft – this is a clear demonstration of how Allies invest in new cutting-edge technology and capability to stand up against current and future threats,” said Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, as quoted in the release.
The renovation of the Ämari Air Base, which cost €18.5 million, enhances Estonia’s ability to support fifth-generation aircraft operations, including 24/7 NATO Air Policing flights.
“Estonia is happy to host all Allies at Ämari Air Base in the framework of various exercises, NATO’s rotational air defence model, or air policing,” said Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. “With the improved conditions at Ämari and a new runway, air policing can now return with F-35s – the most advanced fighter jets in the world.”
The Netherlands’ contribution to NATO’s air policing efforts underscores its ongoing commitment to collective security. Earlier in 2023, a Dutch F-35 detachment was deployed to Malbork, Poland, supporting NATO’s air policing mission.
“We are ready to operate our fifth-generation fighter jets from Ämari Air Base to provide 24/7 air surveillance and to defend ourselves and our Allies,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Smaal, Royal Netherlands Air Force Detachment Commander, as quoted in the press release.
“This deployment is aimed at securing the Baltic airspace and is one of the Netherlands’ efforts to provide assurance to our Allies on NATO’s eastern flank.”
Given what a small fleet of Israeli F35’s did to Iran’s air defence it would be really interesting to see what NATO’s 1000 + would do to Russia’s. It’s unfortunate France has not joined in on 5th gen aircraft capability but nations like Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands can now make a major contribution to any future SEAD operations.
Well said dead right,?
They have been at Ämari Air Base since 1 December and the Russians have kept them quite busy, as reported earlier on this site.
I suggest the Russians struggle for recognition given the paucity of their success on the battlefield; should they be given a stiff ignoring instead?
Their sanctions busting needs calling out tankers inspected; putting corvettes with oil tankers shows how worried they are with incomes from Western countries dropping with the loss of some gas exports.
Concentrating on ‘worrying’ the Russian Navy might be one way forward with our Scandic partners showing the way forward.
The main threat however, is China.