RAMSTEIN: Finish and Swedish air forces have intercepted two Russian military aircraft flying over international waters in the Baltic Sea region near NATO airspace and forced the jets to leave the area.
NATO’s Combined Air Operation Centre at Uedem, Germany on July 15 reported two Russian fighters flying over the Baltic Sea from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia on July 15.
Finnish and Swedish air operation centers launched their quick reaction alert (QRA) forces to intercept the Russian military aircraft. These aircraft were not on a flight plan and not in radio contact with civilian air traffic control.
Both allies conducted the interception in close cooperation and coordination with the NATO CAOC. The routine mission confirms the level of integration both countries have achieved within NATO’s Air and Missile Defence Systems and the Alliance’s Air Policing arrangements in the Baltic Sea.
Finnish and Swedish Air Forces protect the territorial integrity of the NATO airspace, and adjacent airspace over the Baltic Sea with national QRA forces. Both countries’ national Air Operations Centres coordinate with NATO’s CAOC during flight operations which is responsible for NATO Air Policing in northern Europe.
The joint arrangements ensure the integrity of NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea region around the clock and contribute to the security and safety of the airspace for all its users.
