Germany is preparing to deploy four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft to Latvia to help protect its airspace during the country’s upcoming parliamentary election, amid continued concern over drone incursions linked to the wider regional conflict involving Russia and Belarus.
The German military will send the four fighters to Lielvārde air base in central Latvia, accompanied by several dozen personnel, including troops and technical specialists. According to Germany’s defense ministry, the contingent is expected to operate from the base for approximately one week spanning late September and early October.
Latvia requested assistance from its NATO allies to reinforce airspace security during the election period. The country’s parliamentary vote is scheduled for October 3.
The deployment falls under NATO’s enhanced Air Policing North (eAPN) mission covering the Baltic region. However, its limited duration and specific purpose distinguish it from the alliance’s standard fighter deployments, which generally operate on rotations lasting around four months.
NATO Provides Air Cover for the Baltic States
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania do not operate their own fighter aircraft. While NATO regularly maintains fighter deployments in Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia does not normally host a permanent contingent of allied fighter jets. Aircraft operating from the two neighboring Baltic countries therefore contribute to the protection of Latvian airspace.
The three Baltic nations have consistently sought strong NATO support for the defense of the alliance’s eastern flank, citing their proximity to Russia as a significant security concern. Recent drone incidents have added another layer of uncertainty.
Several unauthorized drones have entered Baltic airspace this year. Some were reportedly identified as Ukrainian drones that had deviated from their intended routes while operating toward targets in Russia, while the origin of other incursions has not been established.
The regional security situation became particularly notable this week when Italian NATO fighter aircraft operating from neighboring Lithuania shot down a suspected Russian-made drone after it entered Lithuanian territory from Belarus. Lithuanian officials described the incident as the first known instance of a drone being destroyed by NATO fighter aircraft in Lithuanian airspace.
Lielvārde Hosts Rotating NATO Aircraft
Lielvārde air base, which will host the German Eurofighters, has previously supported aircraft from several other NATO members.
In late August, two Turkish F-16s operated from the Latvian base during a temporary deployment. French Rafale fighters based at Šiauliai in Lithuania also visited Lielvārde in April. The facility has additionally been used by NATO for AWACS airborne early-warning aircraft conducting surveillance missions along the alliance’s border with Russia.
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania have been NATO members since 2004. They joined the alliance during the same enlargement that brought Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia into NATO.
