A NATO detachment will operate three E-3A aircraft from Lithuania for several weeks, conducting surveillance missions over the Baltic Sea region. These operations are part of NATO’s broader effort to strengthen deterrence and situational awareness.
The deployment also supports NATO’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, which aims to increase resilience and operational flexibility across dispersed locations. “Training from Lithuania enables NATO AWACS to react swiftly to evolving scenarios and reinforces cooperation with the host nation’s air base,” NATO said.
NATO’s E-3A aircraft, often referred to as its ‘eyes in the sky’, provide crucial air and maritime surveillance capabilities. These platforms play a vital role in missions ranging from air policing and counterterrorism support to crisis response and full-scale combat operations.
Their presence in Šiauliai underlines the Alliance’s commitment to operational continuity and readiness. According to NATO, “Šiauliai Air Base plays a key role in supporting Allied forces and rotational Air Policing capabilities,” bolstering NATO’s deterrence posture in a changing security environment.
Source: NATO (AIRCOM).
