Italy to transfer fighter aircraft to Estonia
The Italian Eurofighter jets, which have completed their mission in Romania, are now being relocated to Estonia as part of NATO's ongoing efforts to maintain a credible deterrence posture in the Baltic region.
Italy, Spain, and Hungary have been contributing their fighter jets to the Baltic Air Policing mission, a collective defense operation ensuring the control and surveillance of NATO airspace in the region. Hungary leads the mission from August 1, 2025, deploying around 80 personnel and four JAS-39 Gripen jets alongside Spain and Italy, with Spain contributing Eurofighter Typhoons.
This joint deployment reinforces NATO's collective defense framework and illustrates the European Union's wider security and defense integration efforts. The Spanish and Hungarian Air Forces are now providing air support to the Baltic States, joining the Italian Eurofighter jets in the patrol service over the region.
The Italian Eurofighter jets' relocation to Estonia is a strategic signal demonstrating alliance members' shared responsibility for collective security, especially along NATO's eastern flank. The deployment reflects NATO's commitment to protecting the airspace of member states that may lack dedicated air defense capabilities.
The number of military aircraft in the Baltic region has increased with the arrival of the Spanish and Hungarian Air Forces, adding to the existing Italian Eurofighter jets. It is important to note that these forces are part of NATO resources, working together to ensure the security and stability of the region.
This move comes as NATO continues to emphasise its ongoing efforts to maintain a credible deterrence posture and readiness against potential threats in the region, particularly given the proximity to Russia and heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. The Italian Eurofighter jets' departure from Romania and their arrival in Estonia underscores NATO's unwavering commitment to the security and defense of its member states.
The European Union's defense integration is further exemplified with Spain contributing their advanced Eurofighter Typhoons to the Baltic Air Policing mission, joining Hungarian and Italian jets. In light of NATO's ongoing efforts to fortify its presence along the eastern flank, aerospace resources, such as those in the finance-driven industry, are being relocated from Romania to Estonia, emphasizing the alliance's collective commitment to finance and protect member states' security.
