France and Belgium aircraft conduct joint aerial combat drills over Lithuania

Europe, News January 27, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

French, Belgian, and Lithuanian aircraft conducted aerial combat drills and close formation flights over Lithuanian skies. NATO Allies’ aircraft conducted training missions to improve flying skills and demonstrate joint capabilities.

Belgian F-16 fighter jets and French Mirage 2000 aircraft conducted joint missions with Lithuanian Air Force’s C-27 transport aircraft. According to the NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) statement, “The flight was used to enhance aircrew readiness and execute combined missions under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing.”

France’s Mirage 2000 and Belgium’s F-16s are currently deployed in Lithuania to support NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission and secure the allied airspace.

Commandant Laurant Wuillaume, the Belgian Detachment Commander said, “Belgium was the first deployed NATO member in the Baltic States. Twenty years later, our presence is even more important in the light of current events. We are proud to be here as a reliable member of the Alliance to ensure the security and stability at NATO’s boundaries.”

The Belgian detachment commander added, “In addition to the Air Policing mission, the opportunity to train with our Allies enhances every day the interoperability and procedures between all members which increases the preparation to react to any potential threat.”

F-16 🇧🇪, Mirage 2000 🇫🇷 & C-27 🇱🇹 flew training missions above 🇱🇹, conducting close formation flights & aerial combat drills to demonstrate capabilities & hone flying skills

read more: https://t.co/Rko4xBJ9Eu #StrongerTogether #SecuringTheSkies pic.twitter.com/jMhmkBUQJS
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) January 23, 2024

Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, Air Commodore Michael Carver said, “Integrated and combined training events of deployed NATO fighter detachments are an excellent opportunity for Allied aircrew and are beneficial for aircraft controllers who make sure the training is conducted safely and professionally.”

Commander of the French Mirage 2000 detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Georges also highlighted the importance of joint training missions and said “This type of flight emphasizes all the easy coordination between NATO assets and highlights the specific skills required for such precise flying.”

NATO Allies collectively work to secure the airspace above Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, under the banner of the Alliance’s Baltic Air Policing mission. NATO Allies regularly deploy fighter jets to the Baltic States to conduct training missions with host nations and enhance aircrew readiness.

NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, is responsible for leading the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System missions. Since 2014, seventeen NATO Allies have deployed their fighter jets to Lithuania to safeguard and preserve the Baltic States’ airspace.

*^{French and Belgian fighter jets conducting flying training over Lithuania during their Baltic Air Policing deployment at Šiauliai Air Base. (Image Credit: Arnaud Chamberlin/NATO AIRCOM)}*

Last week, the NATO Military Committee gathered in Brussels for the Chiefs of Defense format meeting to discuss the Alliance’s defense and deterrence capabilities and implementation of the new defense plans.

NATO Military Committee chief Admiral Bauer discussed new defense plans with military officials and emphasized that the Allies are actively working to maximize the executability of the new military plans. However, he stressed that the Allies need to take additional steps to achieve its objectives and collective defense of the Alliance.

Admiral Bauer also highlighted the importance of warfighting transformation and the need to focus on “effectiveness instead of efficiency.” He stated that the new defense plans would shape the Allied armed forces for decades to come. “There is an increased need to prepare for the unexpected and look at challenges from all threat perspectives: for this, our cooperation with Partners is key,” he added.