The Hungarian contingent includes pilots, technicians, and support personnel, who will remain in Lithuania for a four-month mission. This deployment is part of NATO’s integrated Air Policing framework to safeguard Allied airspace.
“Collective defence means uninterrupted vigilance,” said Lieutenant Colonel Péter Tősér, Commander of the Hungarian detachment. “This rotation demonstrates our readiness to protect every inch of Alliance airspace alongside our Spanish counterparts,” he added.
The Hungarian Gripens will stand on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) alongside eight Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets, ensuring rapid response to any aerial threats. They will also participate in joint training and live flying exercises with Spanish forces and the host nation.
These activities aim to enhance interoperability, reinforce shared procedures, and strengthen tactical cooperation among Allies. The presence of two NATO detachments at Šiauliai enables more flexible operational planning for the region.
