Officials during the changeover ceremony held at Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai on 1 December. Credit: K. Kavolėlis/© Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania.

The Hungarian Air Force has officially handed over the responsibility of Nato’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission to the Polish and French air forces.

This was announced by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND).

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

After the takeover, Poland and France will now carry out the policing mission to safeguard the Lithuanian airspace.

This transition was marked by a changeover ceremony held at Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai on 1 December, in presence of Lithuanian Vice Defence Minister Vilius Semeška.

The event was also attended by other senior officials and representatives from the defence ministries of Lithuania, Poland and Hungary and Allied Air Command.

Semeška said: “The importance of Nati’s air defence today cannot be overstated.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“Countries agreed to step up deterrence and defence, including in the air domain, back in Madrid.

“We acknowledge that air defence capabilities should have a stronger role in ensuring security in the Baltic region.”

The newly deployed aircraft now includes a total of four Polish F-16 fighter jets along with France’s four Rafale multi-role combat aircraft.

The Lithuanian MND also claimed that this is the first time French Rafale jets have been deployed in Lithuania. 

Previously, a Hungarian detachment of around 150 personnel, including pilots, medical personnel, technicians, support team, communications personnel and other specialists, was deployed in Lithuania for this air policing task in the Baltics States.

The deployed air assets from the outgoing Hungarian Air Force included four JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets.

Throughout their deployment, the Hungarian forces performed a series of operations and participated in several community engagement activities with the Šiauliai residents.

The Hungarian Air Force carried out its first BAP mission in Lithuania in 2015.