2023-12-19 18:42:00
If there were no interceptions in the first days, Belgian fighter pilots intercepted eight Russian military planes during the last week, during three interventions, Commander Petitjean told Belga.
In each case, it involved a Russian plane flying in international airspace, without first submitting a flight plan.
“There is no reason to worry,” said the head of Belgian Defense, Admiral Michel Hofman. “The number of interceptions has remained stable for a while and there have been no major incidents. However, it is very important that we are present.”
This is the 13th time since 2004 that NATO has called on Belgium to ensure the defense of the airspace of the Baltic countries. The last Belgian mission took place from October to November 2022 in Estonia.
The Baltic countries do not have fighter planes.
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