NATO sends reconnaissance planes to Lithuania to monitor Russian troops

Arrived in Lithuania NATO reconnaissance aircraft/NATO

NATO has decided to send AWACS surveillance aircraft to Lithuania. They will monitor Russian military activity near the Alliance's borders.

AWACS aircraft will be based in Siauliai. This is not a secret, since the official message is posted on the NATO website.

The first aircraft is already in Lithuania

The first of two aircraft has arrived at the base in Lithuania September 28. AWACS are capable of detecting enemy aircraft and missiles, air defense systems and more over 400 kilometers away, making them a key early warning capability for NATO.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has increased our security focus in the Baltic Sea region. Our AWACS systems can detect aircraft and missiles hundreds of kilometers away, making them a key early warning capability for NATO. Thanks to Lithuania for accepting the plane. This is an important contribution to our shared security,” said acting NATO spokesman Dylan White.

AWACS will begin a new mission soon

About 150 troops have been deployed to Siauliai, Lithuania, to support the aircraft. In the coming days, AWACS systems will begin reconnaissance flights over Alliance territory. The mission is planned to last several weeks.

It should be noted that in response to Russia's war against Ukraine, NATO has increased its air presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, using fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and tankers. And following Russian drone strikes on NATO territory, the United States sent four more F-16 fighters to Romania last week to bolster its air policing mission.