Two Italian F-35A fighter jets launched from Estonia for the initial time, joining NATO's aerial patrol mission to challenge Russian aircraft in the sky.
In a significant development, Italian F-35A fighter jets, for the first time, were deployed in the Baltic theatre for air defense as part of NATO's Air Policing mission on August 13, 2025. This event marks a crucial operational milestone for Italy and NATO's collective defense readiness.
The interception took place in Estonia, where two Italian F-35As took off from Ämari Air Base to intercept Russian Su-24 tactical bombers and Su-27 fighters. These Russian aircraft were operating near NATO airspace without flight plans or active transponders, a pattern linked to Russian reconnaissance and probing activities.
The mission was part of a broader NATO effort to maintain security in its airspace and demonstrates NATO's increased vigilance and rapid multinational response capabilities amid escalating Russian military flights in the Baltic region. The Italian F-35s, with their advanced stealth, radar, and sensor capabilities, were instrumental in enhancing early threat detection, tracking, and intelligence-gathering on Russian aerial behavior.
The operation serves as a tangible show of NATO's deterrence and resolve to protect Euro-Atlantic airspace, reassuring member states on the alliance's eastern flank during heightened tensions with Russia. The NATO Air Command continues to coordinate all air patrol missions, ensuring a seamless response to such incidents.
It is worth noting that the Italian air group's alert status remains unchanged during subsequent missions, and the intercepted Russian aircraft did not enter NATO airspace. The F-35A fighter jets returned safely to Emari Air Base, and the operational air group involved is from the 32nd Air Wing at Emari Air Base.
This interception, being the fifth such incident this month, underscores the ongoing need for NATO's air patrol mission in Estonia. It also reinforces the deterrence posture amidst increased Russian aerial activity and strategic probing near NATO borders. The mission duration was approximately three hours, and the aircraft were equipped with advanced radar systems during the interception.
In summary, the first joint Italian F-35A interception of Russian aircraft from Estonia is a significant event, highlighting Italy's commitment to collective defense, reinforcing NATO's advanced aerial defense capabilities, demonstrating rapid, coordinated multinational response, contributing to intelligence gathering and operational readiness, and reaffirming NATO's commitment to ensuring the security of NATO airspace.
