Chief of the Defence Staff of Spain Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón is conducting a visit to Lithuania. He has met with Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras with whom regional security, enhancement of the eastern flank and Allied cooperation was discussed.
“Allied presence and actual capability in Lithuania, from NATO Air Policing Mission aircraft to drone jamming systems, is a critical component of our collective defence. Such missions not only safeguards the Baltic airspace but also strengthens deterrence in the eastern flank,” Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaikšnoras said.
Chief of the Defence Staff of Spain will visit Šiauliai where Spain’s F-18 are deployed to the Lithuanian Air Force Base to fly the Baltic NATO Air Policing missions.
“We are grateful to Spain for your consistent approach to the security of the Baltic region. Spain’s response to Lithuania’s request with a contribution of fighter aircraft in support of the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model and the Crow counter-drone systems, your military presence in the Baltic Sea and deployments to the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states are a demonstration of unwavering commitment to collective defence,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
Currently, Spain is in charge of the 70th iteration of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states based from Lithuania. The Spanish Air and Space Force Detachment deployed in Šiauliai with F-18 fighter aircraft ensures security of the Baltic airspace and supports the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS). Also, the Spanish military in Lithuania operate the Crow counter-drone systems that detect, monitor and neutralise uncrewed systems deemed a threat to military units and infrastructure. The system strengthens counter-drone safety thanks to its integrated radars, cameras, sensors and electronic warfare equipment.
Info credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
Photo credits: Sgt Spc Karolis Kavolėlis
