NordenBladet —
F-35 fighter jets, sent to the Baltic region by the U.S. Government in response to Russian Federation’s aggression towards Ukraine, arrived at Ämari air base, Estonia.
“This morning’s large-scale attack towards Ukraine by the armed forces of Russian Federation has brought active and extensive military action to Europe. This aggression confirms that intelligence released by the United States was at top level and NATO’s plan to strengthen the Baltic Sea Region with additional forces is extremely necessary and appreciated, “said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces. Lieutenant General Herem added that since NATO sees the Baltics and Poland as a single area of operations, the decision by the United States will have an impact on the Baltic and Polish region as a whole.
“United States´ decision from this week to strengthen Allied presence in Estonia with its most modern aircraft shows the US readiness to defend its Allies,” Minister of Defense of Estonia, Kalle Laanet said. “We saw the same quick response in 2014 when the United States was the first to bring its fighter aircraft to Ämari Air Base during the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine,” Laanet added.
“We are facing a dynamic environment, and the deployment of F-35s to NATO’s eastern flank for a period of time enhances our defensive posture and amplifies the Alliance’s interoperability,” said General Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Force in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander.
The United States has decided to step up deterrence in the Baltic and Polish area by sending fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, AH-64 assault helicopters and 800 members strong unit to the Baltic Sea region.
The F-35 stealth fighters that arrived in Estonia, are the most expensive weapon system in human history and can perform the functions of a fighter jet, a reconnaissance aircraft and a tactical bomber. As a fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35’s advantages in the battlefield are its survivability and situational awareness, backed by stealth technology, sensors and multi-layered data communications.
Source: Estonian Defence Forces