Luftwaffe to embed Eurofighters into RAF Baltic Air Policing mission

Luftwaffe Eurofighter aircraft and personnel at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to undertake joint training with the RAF's 3 Squadron, before embarking on a joint Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia in April. (Crown Copyright)

The German Luftwaffe is to embed its Eurofighter combat aircraft into a UK Royal Air Force (RAF) detachment flying NATO Baltic Air Policing missions, under Operation ‘Azotize'.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 24 February that training for the detachment had begun at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, ahead of the joint air policing mission to be flown out of the Ämari Air Base in Estonia.

“In April, the German Air Force, which is currently deployed in Estonia, will be handing over responsibility for the leadership of the long-established NATO Air Policing mission to an RAF Expeditionary Air Wing that includes RAF Lossiemouth-based [9] Squadron,” the MoD said.

“Prior to the commencement of their leadership of the NATO mission, elements of the RAF detachment will be integrated into the German [Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader (Tactical Fighter Wing, TLG) 71 ‘Richthofen'] detachment in Estonia, to fly joint sorties during March. Once the NATO mission is handed over, a German detachment will remain integrated into the now RAF-led mission to continue joint sorties throughout April,” it added.