Ankara, July 30 (QNA) - Turkiye announced the deployment of five F-16 fighter jets and their crews to Estonia as part of a NATO air policing mission.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that, "within the framework of NATO's enhanced air policing mission, the deployment of five F-16 fighter jets and their crews to Amari Air Base in Estonia has been completed." The statement added that the aircraft will be stationed there from August 1st to November 30th.
The ministry noted that the five Turkish aircraft "will contribute to the security of the Baltic states' airspace during this mission, as part of the alliance's joint air defense activities." It also indicated that Turkiye will assume command of the mission from Portugal on Friday.
It is worth noting that French Rafale fighter jets belonging to NATO, stationed in the Baltic states, shot down a stray drone in early June over Latvian airspace. (QNA)