Prime Minister Ratas visited the Ämari air base

Stenbock House, 26 August 2020 – Prime Minister Jüri Ratas visited the Ämari air base, where he got acquainted with the work of the French flight unit performing Baltic Air Policing, and the Estonian support team.

According to Ratas, the work of the Estonian Defence Forces has been remarkable in the development of Ämari and in the creation of suitable reception and training possibilities. ‘Over 250 members of the Estonian Defence Forces work around the clock at Ämari to ensure the preparedness of combat-ready fighter planes to be up in the air in minutes. This is a priceless contribution to enabling the presence of our allies and ensuring the security of Estonia,’ said Ratas.

Since April, Baltic Air Policing has been performed by France. Air security has been ensured with four Mirage-type fighter planes and a near-100-person crew. In a meeting with unit commander Joan Dussourd, the Prime Minister learned about the four-month service of the flight unit. ‘The defence cooperation of Estonia and France is strong and mutual. I am sure that the French airmen finish their rotation here with a great experience and positive emotion,’ Ratas reckoned.

Pursuant to the decision of the North Atlantic Council, air forces of NATO Member States have been guarding the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on a rotational basis since 29 March 2004, when the Baltics became members of NATO. The other flight unit of Baltic Air Policing is based in the Šiauliai air base in Lithuania.

Photos of the visit to the air base: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmQfVdUb