Estonia to Receive F-35 Fighters from Netherlands for Baltic Air Defence

The Netherlands will send F-35 fighter jets to Estonia to ensure the security of NATO airspace over the Baltic States.

Dutch Minister of Defence Keesa Ollongren wrote about this on social media platform X.

"To ensure the security of NATO airspace over the Baltic States, the Netherlands is sending F-35s to Estonia," she said in a statement.

She also noted that the Royal Air Force will conduct patrols from December 2024 to March 2025.

"In this way, the Netherlands is contributing to the security of NATO's eastern flank, both on land and in the air," Ollongren said.

As The Gaze previously reported, Estonia on Monday launched a large-scale international military exercise called Spring Storm involving about 14,000 participants from 15 countries.

This year's Spring Storm will for the first time involve local residents in hazard awareness activities. The manoeuvres will also affect road users.

Also, last week, Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurinas Kasciunas said that a US military battalion would remain in the country indefinitely, and not until the end of 2025, as previously planned.