🇵🇹 Portugal moves to replace the Chipmunk with new basic trainer aircraft

The Portuguese Air Force appears to have taken a long-awaited step toward modernising its pilot training system, with reports indicating the signing of a contract for seven new basic trainer aircraft. While the exact model has not been disclosed, the move would mark the beginning of the end for one of the oldest aircraft still in military service in Europe.

According to available information, the contract has been awarded to World Aviation SL and is valued at approximately €7.2 million. The package reportedly includes seven aircraft along with two flight simulators, with deliveries expected within a relatively short timeframe of six to ten months.

Although details remain limited, the overall structure of the deal provides useful clues. The cost suggests a lightweight platform, most likely a basic trainer designed for initial flight instruction rather than advanced or turboprop training roles. This would place the future aircraft in the same category as modern entry-level trainers used to introduce new pilots to fundamental flying skills before progressing to more complex systems.

What makes this development particularly notable is the aircraft it is set to replace. The de Havilland Chipmunk has been in service for decades and represents a training philosophy from a very different era. While it has remained a reliable platform, its continued use highlights the gap between legacy systems and modern training requirements.

El F-35 y Portugal: de opción preferida a revisión estratégica

 

Durante los últimos años, la sustitución de los F-16 de la Fuerza Aérea Portuguesa ha pasado de parecer una decisión casi automática a convertirse en un debate político, industrial y geoestratégico de primer nivel. El F-35A, inicialmente señalado como el sucesor natural, ha terminado sometido a una profunda revisión estratégica en Lisboa.

El F-35 como relevo lógico del F-16

A finales de 2023, el entonces jefe del Estado Mayor de la Fuerza Aérea Port9uguesa, João Cartaxo Alves, dejó claro que el F-35 era la opción más coherente para sustituir una flota de F-16 con entre 30 y casi 40 años de servicio.

Desde un punto de vista estrictamente militar, el razonamiento era difícil de discutir:

• Interoperabilidad plena con la OTAN
• Integración en el ecosistema de combate aéreo de quinta generación
• Continuidad doctrinal respecto al F-16
• Amplia adopción en Europa (Noruega, Países Bajos, Dinamarca, Bélgica, Reino Unido, Italia, Alemania…)

En palabras del propio Alves, el F-35 era “el único avión de quinta generación capaz de cumplir plenamente los requisitos de misión de Portugal”.

Sin embargo, el entusiasmo militar chocó pronto con la realidad política y presupuestaria.

En diciembre de 2023, el Gobierno portugués aclaró que no existía ningún proceso formal de adquisición en marcha, ni el F-35 figuraba en la Ley de Programación Militar aprobada ese mismo año, que fijaba prioridades hasta 2034 por valor de 5.500 millones de euros.

Las inversiones se centraban en otros ámbitos:

• Aviones de apoyo cercano
• Reabastecimiento en vuelo (KC-390)
• Patrulleros oceánicos
• Capacidades navales y logísticas

El mensaje era claro: el F-35 era una visión de futuro, no una decisión inmediata.

Punto de inflexión en 2025

El ministro de Defensa, Nuno Melo, introdujo un argumento hasta entonces ausente del debate: La dependencia estratégica de Estados Unidos.

Entre sus preocupaciones destacaban:

• La autonomía operativa real del F-35
• La dependencia logística y de mantenimiento
• El control estadounidense de sistemas digitales y de gestión en la nube
• La incertidumbre sobre la política exterior de Washington a medio plazo

El debate dejó de ser únicamente militar y pasó a ser político-estratégico:

¿hasta qué punto un país pequeño debía atar su capacidad aérea crítica a un único proveedor externo?

La alternativa europea entra en escena

Ese cambio de tono abrió la puerta a opciones que hasta entonces parecían secundarias.

En octubre de 2025, Airbus formalizó su interés en posicionar el Eurofighter Typhoon como sustituto del F-16 en Portugal, firmando un memorando de entendimiento con la industria aeronáutica portuguesa.

Los argumentos europeos eran distintos:

• Mayor soberanía industrial
• Retornos económicos y participación local
• Integración en cadenas de valor europeas
• Menor dependencia política de EE. UU.

Portugal, además, ya operaba plataformas de Airbus como el C-295, lo que reforzaba la narrativa de continuidad industrial.

La presión atlántica: el mensaje de Washington

El debate no pasó desapercibido al otro lado del Atlántico.

En febrero de 2026, el embajador estadounidense en Lisboa, John Arrigo, intervino públicamente recomendando que Portugal apostase por el F-35, subrayando:

• La interoperabilidad OTAN
• La pertenencia al “núcleo duro” de fuerzas aéreas europeas
• La necesidad de aumentar el gasto en defensa

Su mensaje encajó en un patrón cada vez más visible: La diplomacia estadounidense como actor directo en decisiones de adquisición militar aliada.

A día de hoy, Portugal no ha lanzado un proceso formal de selección, ni ha cursado ninguna solicitud oficial de compra y baraja una flota futura estimada entre 14 y 28 aeronaves y considera el próximo caza como solución puente hacia programas de sexta generación

Lisboa incluso ha manifestado su interés en participar, aunque sea como observador, en programas europeos como FCAS o GCAP.

El caso portugués demuestra que el debate sobre el F-35 ya no es solo técnico sino de autonomía estratégica, dependencia industrial y sobre el equilibrio entre Europa y Estados Unidos.

El F-35 sigue siendo una opción poderosa —quizá la más capaz—, pero ya no es incuestionable.

Portugal Seeks Additional UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters to Strengthen Medevac Capability

 

The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa – FAP) is moving forward with plans to further expand its medium-lift helicopter fleet, launching a tender to acquire four additional modernised Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The new aircraft will be primarily dedicated to aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and emergency transport missions.

According to official documentation, interested companies have until 19 January to submit proposals under a tender issued on 19 December 2025 by the Administrative and Logistic Command of the Air Force. The contract is valued at €32 million (approximately USD 37 million), underlining Portugal’s continued investment in rotary-wing capabilities for both military and civil support roles.

These four helicopters will complement an already expanding Black Hawk fleet within the FAP. In 2022, Portugal acquired six modernised UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters from United Aero Group, marking the type’s introduction into Portuguese service. This was followed in 2024 by an order for three modernised UH-60L aircraft from Ace Aeronautics.

A significant portion of these acquisitions has been funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), reflecting how dual-use military assets—especially those supporting disaster response and medical evacuation—are increasingly aligned with broader EU resilience and security objectives.

The UH-60 Black Hawk offers a proven platform for MEDEVAC operations, with the ability to operate in adverse weather, day or night, and from austere locations. For Portugal, these capabilities are particularly relevant given the country’s geography, wildfire response requirements, overseas commitments, and the need to support both civilian authorities and NATO operations when required.

While the tender does not specify a particular variant beyond “modernised” UH-60s, it suggests continuity with Portugal’s existing approach: acquiring refurbished airframes upgraded with modern avionics, mission systems, and medical configurations rather than brand-new helicopters.

Rather than pursuing a large one-time purchase, Portugal appears to be following a phased fleet-building strategy, gradually increasing numbers while standardising training, logistics, and maintenance around a single helicopter family. This approach helps control costs while delivering tangible operational improvements.

If completed, the new acquisition would bring Portugal’s UH-60 fleet to at least 13 aircraft, significantly enhancing the Air Force’s ability to conduct sustained aeromedical evacuation and emergency transport missions both at home and abroad.

F-35 Replacement for Portugal's F-16s Unlikely Before 2027. F-35 Consolidates as NATO's Primary Combat Aircraft

Shortly after the chief of the Portuguese air force indicated interest in replacing the nation's F-16 fighters with the F-35, the government clarified that there are currently no immediate intentions to pursue the Lockheed Martin-produced fifth-generation fighter.

'This is a vision for the future, so there is currently no process of acquiring aircraft to replace the F-16s, according to an spokesperson from the office of Portugal’s defense minister to 'Breaking Defense.com'

General João Cartaxo Alves, the chief of staff of the Portuguese Air Force, raised the prospect during a military airlift and air refueling conference in Lisbon on Monday, mentioning that the F-35 aircraft could potentially replace the current F-16 in the future. This aligns with other European partner states that transitioned from the F-16 to the F-35.

Regarding whether Lisbon is considering alternative aircraft for this role, the spokesperson did not provide a response to that inquiry.

Notably, Portugal's Military Programming Law (LPM) proposal, approved by the country's Council of Ministers in March 2023, does not include any reference to the acquisition of the F-35 or efforts to replace the F-16. This program outlines significant defense acquisitions and long-term national defense spending, allocating €5.5 billion ($6 billion) until 2034. The current priorities in this plan encompass eight major acquisitions, notably featuring a new Close Support Aircraft program and ongoing projects such as orders for Embraer KC-390 Millennium tanker transport aircraft and six additional Viana do Castelo-class ocean patrol ships.

Nevertheless, it seems evident that the F-35 will eventually replace the F-16 in the Portuguese Air Force. Several NATO countries that have utilized the F-16 as their primary combat aircraft are already integrating it, such as Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Belgium anticipates its initial deliveries by December 2023. The F-35 has partially replaced the Tornado in the United Kingdom and Italy, and it will do so in Germany, which is set to receive 35 units starting from 2027.

Poland will receive the initial units out of a total of 32 starting from 2025. In Finland, 64 F-35s will replace the F-18 C/D Hornet. Additionally, other NATO countries on the verge of confirming their orders for the F-35 include Greece, Romania, and the Czech Republic. One non-NATO European country that has also declared its preference for the F-35 is Switzerland, with an announced intended purchase of 36 units.

Turkey and Spain are the remaining countries yet to integrate the F-35 into their air forces. Turkey, due to the US veto stemming from its purchase of Russian weaponry (S-400 missiles), coupled with the country's shift towards an Islamic political orientation, will not proceed with the integration.

Spain, despite initially displaying significant interest, appears to have distanced itself from acquiring the F-35. There has been a noticeable withdrawal, including the abandonment of the 'B' version for vertical takeoff and landing to replace the Spanish Navy's nearly obsolete Harrier fleet. Recent acquisitions of Eurofighter aircraft under the Halcón I and II programs, along with the absence of definitive statements regarding the purchase of F-35Bs, seem to solidify this decision.

FIRST KC-390 FOR PORTUGUESE AIR FORCE ARRIVES IN BEJA AB

The first Embraer KC-390, PT-ZDK (c/n 390000011), for the Força Aérea Portuguesa (Portuguese Air Force) has arrived today, 16 October 2022 at its new homebase Beja (BA 111).

It departed yesterday from Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil, en route to Portugal. On the last leg of its flight the new Embraer was escorted by two General Dynamics F-16s. It was delivered under its test registration PT-ZDK, but will ultimately receive the Portuguese serial 26901.

After touching Portuguese soil, the KC-390 will undergo a phase of integration of NATO equipment and certified by the National Aeronautical Authority. It is recalled that Portugal ordered five KC-390 Millennium aircraft and a simulator in 2019, and the first Portuguese crew successfully completed the qualification course in November 2021.

scramble 

Romania to buy additional F-16 fighter jets from Portugal

According to media reports in recent weeks, Romanian Armed Forces decided to buy five F-16 fighter jets from Portugal.
Romania will buy five more F-16 aircraft from Portugal and the acquisition procedure could be completed this year, according to Romanian defense minister.
Romania Insider has reported on 19 April that Romania bought 12 F-16 multirole aircraft from Portugal in 2013 and will buy five more to have a complete squadron of 17 fighters.
The five F-16s will be second-hand, modernized in Portugal.
Commenting on the news that the U.S. is considering selling F-35 fighters to five new nations, including Romania, Romanian defense minister said that, at the moment, this would be “a bit too much” for Romania.
defence-blog

PORTUGAL ORDERS FIVE AW119Kx HELICOPTERS FROM LEONARDO FOR MULTIROLE MISSIONS

Portugal has ordered five Leonardo Helicopters AW119Kx light-singles for multirole missions in a deal worth over €20 million ($23 million).
To be operated by the nation's air force, deliveries of the helicopters are due to begin from Leonardo's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania production facility in late 2018, running until 2020.
A further two aircraft are covered by options, the manufacturer says.
The AW119Kx helicopters will be used to perform a wide range of roles including training, medical evacuation, troop transport and short-range maritime search and rescue.
Portugal currently operates a fleet of eight Aérospatiale SA316 Alouette III light helicopters in the role.
flightglobal

Portugal Near to Finalize Contract For Five Embraer KC-390 Transport Aircraft

Embraer is on the verge of completing a deal with Portugal confirming the country as the first export customer for the KC-390 tanker transport.
“We are discussing with the government the final contract,” the Brazilian airframer’s chief executive Paulo Cesar Silva said at a pre-Farnborough air show media briefing in Lisbon on 26 June.
It comes just over a year after Portugal opened negotiations to buy five KC-390s, with an option for a sixth, with deliveries starting in 2021.
Four nations – other than Brazil – originally committed to the military aircraft, which flew for the first time in 2015. However, progress with Argentina, the Czech Republic and Chile appears to have stalled.
Embraer is exhibiting the KC-390 at this year's Farnborough air show, as well as the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford that immediately precedes it.
flightglobal

Portugal to lead, France and Spain to augment NATO Air Policing in Baltics

The 47th rotation of NATO fighter jets safeguarding the Baltic Allies airspace will be led by Portugal while France and Spain - within the framework of enhanced Air Policing - will be augmenting the mission from May 2018 on.
The Portuguese Air Force will deploy four F-16M fighter jets from Air Base No 5 Monte Real to Šiauliai, Lithuania, for the fourth time to provide Air Policing capabilities to safeguard the skies over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The 90-strong detachment of pilots, ground crews and support personnel will take over the lead of NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Policing mission from Denmark on May 2 during a ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base.
French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 fighters and Spanish Eurofighter jets will augment the peacetime mission of Air Policing in the Baltics that started with the accession Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to NATO in 2004.
The French detachment will be based at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, and bring four Mirage 2000-5 from 01.002 wing "Cigognes” and approx. 100 personnel from their home base at Luxeuil in the east of France. This is the seventh time French fighters conduct the NATO mission in the Baltics.
The Spanish Eurofighter detachment comprised of six jets and approx. 130 personnel from 11th Wing at Morón Air Base will be deployed at Šiauliai, too. Spain led the BAP mission in 2006 and 2016 and augmented it out of Ämari in 2015 and 2017, making this the fifth tour to the Baltics.
nato

Romania looks to buy 20 more F-16s

Romania is looking to increase the size of its fighter fleet after the government decided to apportion 2% of GDP for defence in 2017. The Parliament and Supreme Defence Council (CSAT) have approved the decision.
"My intention is to finalise this year the decision to have another 20 F-16 fighters. The Romanian Air Force has nine now and there will be 12 by the end of the year, but we need more to strengthen our air force capability. As a matter of principle Romania intends to buy these 20 F-16 fighters from the United States. All further details will be announced [in due course", Defence Minister Beniamin Les told the Romanian parliament on 13 February.
Romania bought 12 F-16s from Portugal in September 2013. These include nine F-16AM single-seaters and three F-16BM two-seaters and were bought via C N Romtehnica under the Peace Carpathian programme, with third-party transfer authorisation coming from the US government.
janes

Portugal begins F-16s Upgrade

The Portuguese aerospace company OGMA recently began to upgrade three Lockheed Martin F-16A Block 15 Fighting Falcon fighters for the Portuguese Air Force.
All three aircraft will be upgraded to the F-16AM Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) standard by 2017.
The US government gave Portugal the aircraft in August 2013 as excess defence articles. Portugal only paid for their preparation, packaging, and shipment.
The acquisition of the three F-16s is a consequence of Portugal's sale of nine F-16AM single seat and three F-16BM twin-seat aircraft to Romania.
Those aircraft were from a batch of 25 F-16A/B Block 15 Operational Capability Upgrade (OCU) aircraft given to Portugal by the United States in the late 1990s under the Peace Atlantis II programme and later modernised in Portugal for operation by the 301 Squadron (Jaguares) at Monte Real Air Base.
Earlier in the 1990s Portugal ordered 20 new-built F-16A/B Block 15 OCU aircraft for the 201 Squadron (Falcões). These aircraft were later modernised to the MLU standard.
The Falcões and Jaguares squadrons currently operate 39 F-16AM/BM MLU aircraft.
janes

Portuguese F-16 Jets Will Head to Romania for NATO Mission in May

Four Portuguese F-16 fighter jets and 150 Portuguese troops and civilians will be sent to Ukraine neighbor Romania in May and June to participate in NATO aerial policing missions.
Portugal said it has approved a request from Romanian Prime Minister to allow the planes and troops into the country.
Romania, which is on NATO's eastern flank, has hosted foreign troops and missions from other member countries since the Ukraine crisis broke out at the end of 2013. This is the first time Portuguese troops come to the country.
NATO decided earlier this month to set up command-and-control centers in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria in response to challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists.
In an emergency, the centers will help speed up the arrival of the new quick-reaction force as well as later NATO reinforcements.
FBI chief, who visited Romania Tuesday, said cyber security and fighting corruption and terrorism are priorities for both the U.S. and Romania.
abcnews

Portugal approves F-16, Hercules Upgrade

Portugal approved its military programming law for the next 12 years on 22 January, although the plan to complete this in 2026 will be reviewed every four years
The air force's 30 F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters will receive further software upgrades and its six C-130H Hercules transport aircraft will be modernised to extend the type's service life until 2030. These transports will be eventually replaced by Embraer KC-390s after Portugal firmed up a letter of intent with Brazil for six aircraft in September 2010.
These measures are leading a deep structural and equipment modernisation plan for Portugal and come after the country exited a three-year EU-IMF economic adjustment programme in June 2014.
janes

Portugal sells surplus C212s to Uruguay

Portugal is to transfer to Uruguay two C212-300 Patrullero maritime surveillance aircraft formerly in service with the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). A contract for the transfer was signed in Lisbon on 18 December between Portuguese Secretary of State for National Defence, and her Uruguayan counterpart.
The contract signature follows a letter of intent issued on 24 July after Uruguay had expressed an interest in buying the aircraft in late 2013.
Both aircraft will be delivered to the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) during the summer of 2015. The package includes spares, documentation, as well as maintenance services by the FAP, such as structural and systems inspections and associated testing. The fleet will be delivered in "as is" condition to Uruguay with the nose radar installed.
The two C212-300s will join three C212-200 Aviocar transports and a single C212-200MP maritime patrol aircraft currently in service with the FAU's No 3 Air Squadron at Carrasco.
Portugal officially withdrew the aircraft from service in December 2011, having received them in March 1994 from Spain's Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA), now part of Airbus Defence & Space. The aircraft were used in search and rescue tasks and as part of the country's maritime surveillance system.
This is the second transfer of surplus Portuguese platforms to Uruguay after the Portuguese Navy frigates NRP João Belo (F480) and NRP Sacadura Cabral (F483), along with Mk 44 torpedoes, were transferred to the Uruguayan Navy in April 2008 as part of a March 2008 deal worth EUR13 million.
janes

RAF jets forced to intercept SECOND Russian bomber in UK airspace

RAF jets have been forced to intercept a second Russian bomber flying in UK airspace, it has been revealed.
The Typhoons escorted the Russian Bear bomber as it approached British airspace.
It is the second appearance of Russian aircraft in just three days.
On Wednesday, RAF officers were forced to intervene when two Bear bombers were tracked over the North Sea.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft which neared British airspace yesterday was "escorted through the UK flight information region."
An RAF spokeswoman confirmed the Russian aircraft has been picked up by the RAF Control and Reporting Centre at Boulmer in Northumberland, which scrambled the Typhoons.
She said: "Following a similar incident on Wednesday 29 October, the RAF Typhoon pilots visually identified the Russian aircraft and escorted them through the UK flight information region."
NATO radars have picked up a series of Russian formations engaged in "significant military manoeuvres ranging from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean" in recent months.
It involved two Bears that had originally been part of a larger formation of eight aircraft - including four Il-78 tanker planes - intercepted by Norwegian F-16 fighters in international airspace over the Norwegian Sea.
While six of the planes returned back towards Russia, the two Bears carried on towards the UK where they were picked up by Boulmer in Northumberland. The Bears continued on over the Atlantic to the west of Portugal, where they were intercepted by Portuguese Air Force F-16s before turning back.
The Russian flight coincided with similar incidents over the Black Sea and the Baltic where Russian military formations were intercepted by Turkish fighters and Portuguese jets assigned to the Nato Baltic air policing mission.
They come against a background of months of heightened tensions between Moscow and the West following Russia's annexation of Crimea and military incursion into Ukraine.
On Wednesday RAF Typhoon fighters were also launched to intercept a civilian aircraft which was causing concern to air traffic control authorities.
The aircraft, a Russian-made Antonov An-26 cargo airliner from Latvia, was safely escorted to London Stansted after being intercepted by aircraft from RAF Coningsby when communication with it was lost.
It was later allowed to continue its original journey to Birmingham.
express

NATO Fighters scrambled as Russian spy plane violates Estonian air space

A Russian intelligence aircraft briefly crossed into NATO airspace earlier this week, NATO said Wednesday.
The NATO’s radars detected an unidentified plane flying near NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea at about 9 a.m. CET on Tuesday. Danish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled, as were Portuguese F-16s that were part of NATO’s air policing mission over the Baltics. They were assisted by fighters from Sweden.
The Russian plane, an IL-20 intelligence collection aircraft, took off from Kaliningrad and flew over the Baltic Sea toward Denmark, NATO said, and it was met by aircraft from the three nations. As the IL-20 turned and headed south, it began approaching the airspace of Estonia, a NATO member.
The Russian aircraft entered Estonian airspace near the island of Saaremaa for less than one minute, an incursion of about 600 meters, NATO said. Portuguese F-16s made visual contact with the IL-20 and escorted it away from NATO airspace.
Russian officials denied the assertion. The Russian Defense Ministry told local news agencies that the plane had not violated Estonian airspace and was on a routine training mission from Kaliningrad in international airspace.
It’s standard procedure for NATO planes to scramble and intercept any unknown aircraft that approach NATO airspace. The Alliance said in a statement Wednesday that such flights are potentially dangerous, because Russian military planes often don't file flight plans or use their onboard transponders, leaving civilian air traffic control operators unable detect them or ensure they don't interfere with civilian air traffic.
wsj

Greece poised to sell some of its F-16 fighters to Bulgaria

Greece is in talks with the US and Bulgaria about selling some of its old F-16 fighter jets to Bulgaria and leasing new ones from Washington.
NATO asked Bulgaria in February to update its air force’s capability and the country’s defense officials have approached Athens about the possibility of buying between six and eight Fighting Falcon planes. The issue was first discussed when the country’s two defense ministers met in March.
There is a precedent for such a deal as Portugal sold 12 of its F-16s to Romania for 880 million dollars in October 2013. Sources said the Hellenic Air Force would like the jets sold to be replaced by Block 52s but the US does not want to lease these airplanes.
focus-fen

Portugal takes over lead of Baltic Air Policing Mission

Portugal assumed responsibility for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission on 1 September, taking over from Poland which has had the role with the support of the United Kingdom and Denmark since May.
Six Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa - FAP) F-16 have now begun operations out of Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, supported by four Boeing F/A-18 (CF-18/CF-188) Hornets of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
This deployment (which includes Canada for the first time) marks the third NATO mission which has been strengthened with additional countries and aircraft because of the regional tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
While the previous two deployments saw extra US Air Force (USAF) Boeing F-15 Eagles, UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons, Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16s, and French Air Force Dassault Rafales added to the mission, this deployment will see the FAP F-16s and RCAF F/A-18s augmented by four-to-six Typhoons of the German Air Force operating out of Amari Airbase in Estonia, and four RDAF F-16s which will relieve the same number of French Rafale fighters at Malbork in northern Poland.
The heightened political tensions between NATO and Russia in recent months have seen a corresponding increase in military air activity near the Baltic states. During the previous air policing mission, UK Typhoons intercepted multiple Russian aircraft on 17 June, including a Tupolev Tu-22 'Backfire' bomber, four Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' fighters, one Beriev A-50 'Mainstay' early warning aircraft, and an Antonov An-26 'Curl' transport aircraft. It should be noted, however, that these all took place in international airspace.
janes

Royal Canadian Air Force begins Baltic Air Policing mission

The Canadian Air Task Force (ATF) officially joined NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission following a hand-over ceremony yesterday in Siauliai, Lithuania, as Canada’s continues to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe in the face of increasing Russian hostility.
Four CF-18 Hornet aircraft and more than 130 airmen and airwomen from the Royal Canadian Air Force will work with NATO Allies from September to December 2014, to preserve the integrity of the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and react to any intrusions.
The Canadian ATF recently relocated to Siauliai, Lithuania, from Câmpia Turzii, Romania, where they had conducted training with their NATO Allies from early May until August 22. The Canadian ATF arrived in Siauliai on August 26.
Based on the operational requirements for the BAP mission, four of the CF-18 Hornets which deployed to Romania were relocated to Lithuania to participate in BAP. Two Canadian aircraft will remain in Europe. The decision about the number of Canadian aircraft required for participation in BAP was made following planning and coordination with NATO and Canada’s Allies.
Portugal, Netherlands, Germany and Canada are all contributed forces to the BAP mission. Canada and Portugal will be operating side by side out of Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.
The Canadian ATF based in Lithuania is composed of personnel from 2 Wing and 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec; 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta; 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario;14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia;17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba; and 22 Wing North Bay, Ontario. These personnel include aircrew and personnel who provide operational support to air assets, such as force protection, intelligence, aerospace management and maintenance coordination.
airforce.forces.gc.ca

Germany offers Typhoons to bolster Baltic air policing

Germany has offered to send six Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft to help bolster the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission.
The offer has been made to support the Portuguese rotation of four Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons, which is due to take place out of Siauliai Airbase in Lithuania from September to December. The German Typhoons may deploy to Amari Airbase in Estonia.
The news that Berlin has offered to bolster the mission follows similar offers made by the UK, France, and Denmark, in light of the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea and the continued tensions with Ukraine.
With the US currently performing the role with 10 Boeing F-15C Eagle fighters, Poland is set to take over the rotation with four MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighters from the beginning of May to the end of August.
The NATO official said that the UK's offer of four Typhoons to support the Poles has been accepted, as has the Danish offer of four F-16s (with a further two on standby in Denmark). The UK Typhoons will operate out of Siauliai Airbase alongside the Polish MiG-29s, while two Danish F-16s will fly from Amari Airbase on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). The remaining two F-16s will be held in reserve and contribute to enhanced training exercises with the Baltic states.
A French offer of assistance involving either Dassault Rafale or Mirage 2000 fighters should see them operate out of Malbork Airbase in Poland. According to NATO, these French fighters will conduct air policing training, but will not be part of the Baltic mission.
Separately, Bulgaria has indicated that it is looking for increased air defence cooperation with its NATO neighbours Romania and Turkey. This follows a spike in QRA scrambles that has reportedly seen the Bulgarian Air Force intercept more Russian military aircraft in the last year than it has over the last 20 years combined. In March that Bulgaria had already agreed such cooperation with Greece.
janes