German Eurofighter jets, deployed in Latvia, were scrambled to intercept two Russian carrier-based MIG-29K fighter jets flying without a flight plan and not in contact with civil air traffic control.
According to officials, the interception occurred in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed in the late 1980s by the Mikoyan Design Bureau. Known as a 4+ generation aircraft, it is designed for all-weather operations and capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The German Eurofighters are part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which aims to safeguard the airspace of Baltic member states.
In addition to the Eurofighters, Germany contributes a deployable Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) established at Ämari Air Base in Estonia. This CRC is integrated into the regional Air Surveillance and Control network, enhancing NATO’s capability to monitor and respond to airspace violations.
Since the Baltic nations joined NATO, the alliance has maintained a robust air policing mission in the region. This mission has been in place for two decades, demonstrating NATO’s commitment to the territorial integrity and security of its Baltic members.
The interception of the Russian MiG-29Ks is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region. NATO officials emphasized that such interceptions are routine and conducted in a professional manner to ensure the safety of international airspace.