The RNLAF’s F-35As, deployed to Estonia after the renovation works at Ämari Airbase, have completed their first QRA missions in support of NATO Baltic Air Policing, intercepting a Russian An-72, a Su-24MR and an Il-20.
The Dutch defense ministry released a statement saying two RNLAF (Royal Netherlands Air Force) F-35 jets intercepted three Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Dec. 6, 2024. The F-35s tracked, identified and then escorted them over international waters at a distance to the border of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) area of responsibility.
Dutch F-35s intercepted three Russian aircraft from Estonia over the Baltic Sea.
Russian surveillance and spy planes were driven away.
Proud that our Air Force stands ready to protect our joint NATO air space!https://t.co/tLIPlgisON pic.twitter.com/UGtQm5F2vo
— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) December 9, 2024
The QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) was activated twice on Dec. 6. In the first flight, two Russian aircraft were identified: an An-72 “Coaler” transport aircraft and an Su-24MR “Fencer E” reconnaissance aircraft. In the afternoon, the QRA was activated again. This time it turned out to be an Il-20 “Coot A” communication/electronic intelligence (COMINT/ELINT) aircraft.
The two F-35As are part of four RNLAF F-35As that have been deployed to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, since Dec. 1, 2024. They are part of NATO’s mission protecting the Alliance’s eastern borders, known as Baltic Air Policing.
The F-35s are shown flying with Luneburg lenses, as is now standard with non-combat F-35 operations. Stealth fighters often employ these lenses to mask the aircraft’s true radar signature from potential adversaries. It also allows for air traffic control to accurately plot the aircraft’s location.
For the first time, 🇳🇱 F-35s scrambled in response to three 🇷🇺 aircraft during Air Policing Mission in 🇪🇪
After arriving in 🇪🇪 in early December, the F-35 detachment activated their first Quick Reaction Alert, ensuring the safety of #NATO airspace pic.twitter.com/ye8e9ZnKsc
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) December 9, 2024
Russian aircraft in the Baltics
Russian aircraft regularly fly close to, or in some cases into, airspace belonging to NATO nations. The aircraft involved in the intrusions vary, but are usually aircraft such as fighter jets or reconnaissance aircraft. They usually skirt the sovereign airspace of NATO nations, especially Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania without prior notification or adherence to international flight regulations. Many of these aircraft fly without transponders activated, fail to communicate with air traffic control, and neglect to file flight plans, making their movements unpredictable and dangerous for civilian aviation.
The intrusions serve several purposes for Russia: testing NATO’s response times, intimidating the Baltic states, and asserting its presence in a strategically significant area. Such actions also carry the risk of escalation, especially as these air encounters often occur in close proximity to heavily militarized zones like the Kaliningrad Oblast, and the conflict in Ukraine has raised tension between Russia and the West.
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing
To combat these regular intrusions, which regularly take place since the 1970s, NATO has established a comprehensive system of air surveillance and airspace management means, as well as QRA assets for intercepts provided by its member nations. These NATO jets are tasked with intercepting unauthorized aircraft and escorting them out of Baltic airspace. While these interceptions are now standard routine and without incidents, they highlight the constant tension in the region and the need for vigilance.
Since the Baltic States joined NATO in Mar. 2004, the 24/7/365 task of policing the airspace of the Baltic States was conducted on a three-month rotation from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and Ämari Air Base in Estonia. Normally deployments consist of four fighter aircraft with between 50 and 100 support personnel. Throughout the years, 14 member nations of NATO have participated in the Baltic Air Policing.
This is the second time that the RNLAF has sent their F-35As for the BAP role, after their 2023 deployment to Poland. Previously, the RNLAF has participated with their now-retired F-16AM Vipers, which the F-35As replaced. Currently, alongside the RNLAF F-35s, the French Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace has deployed 4 Rafales to Šiauliai, in Lithuania, since Dec 1, to complement the already-deployed Italian Air Force F-2000A Typhoons.
