Italy scrambles fighter jets to intercept aircraft over Baltic

Published: AUGUST 6, 2024 17:23

Updated: AUGUST 7, 2024 11:24

Norway's Air Force F-16 fighters (R) and Italy's Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015. (photo credit: REUTERS/INTS KALNINS) — Norway's Air Force F-16 fighters (R) and Italy's Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015.

(photo credit: REUTERS/INTS KALNINS)

Italy's Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled on August 3, 2024, to intercept unidentified aircraft in Baltic airspace, NATO reported.

Italy scrambled Eurofighter Typhoons to intercept unidentified aircrafts that were flying in Baltic airspace, the Italian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Italian fighters took off from the Siauliai base in northern Lithuania after receiving orders from a NATO surveillance center in Germany, it added.

It did not give any further details on the identify of the aircraft that had been spotted.

According to a statement by the NATO Allied Air Command, "On August 3, 2024, NATO’s Combined Air Operation Centre at Uedem scrambled two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons in response to potential threats from Russian military aircraft. "

The Allied Air Command added that under NATO's Air Policing mission, the scramble is called an Alpha Scramble and is triggered under certain circumstances, such as when an aircraft is flying an invalid or incorrect flight plan or loses communication with the relevant air traffic control authority.

Italy's Air force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter (L) and Norway's Air Force F-16 fighter patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015. (credit: REUTERS/INTS KALNINS)

First Alpha Scramble

However, this was the first Alpha Scramble for the Italian Air Force since "commencing their four-month NATO Baltic Air Policing deployment from Šiauliai, assuming air policing responsibilities from the Portuguese and Spanish Air Forces," the Allied Air Command said.

The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are all members of the US-led NATO alliance and have been strongly critical of neighboring Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022.

Italy took charge of the NATO Baltic mission at the start of August.