For the first time two Italian F-35s intercepted Russian jets. The episode took place in Estonia, as part of the NATO Air Policing mission. “For the first time two F-35 Italians take off in Estonia in response to Russian aircraft as part of the NATO aerial patrolling mission. The Italian Task Force Air, detachment of the 32nd flock at the Air Base of ämari, is in a rapid alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, demonstrating the commitment of the Alliance to safeguard the Airplane Space”, wrote the Air Control. of the Atlantic alliance on X.
The two Italian jets took off in QRA mode (Quick Reaction Alert) to identify an Antonov An-12 with offset off and free of flight plan, on a course towards the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad above international waters of the Baltic Sea.
For the first time two 🇮🇹 F-35s Scramble From 🇪🇪 in Response to 🇷🇺 Aircraft Under’s NATO’s Air Policing Mission
The 🇮🇹 Task Force Air – 32nd Wing Detachment At ämari Air Base 🇪🇪 Are On Quick Reaction Alert 24/7 Demstrating The Alliance’s Commitment to SafeGuarding born Airspace pic.twitter.com/pnm0crowo1
– Born Air Command (@nato_Aircom) August 13, 2025
The mission
The Italian detachment, composed of the F-35 of the 13th group of the 32nd flock of Amendola, is deployed in Estonia to guarantee the surveillance of the Baltic Air Space. The base of ämari, located about twenty miles from Tallinn, hosts the NATO contingents in the collective defense of the region. “We are in a state of rapid alert 24 hours a day,” recalled the air command of the alliance, underlining how the intervention shows the commitment of the allies to protect the eastern borders.
Italy had already participated in the past in the Air Policing mission with Eurofighter and with F-35 lined up in Iceland, but it is the first time that the fifth generation aircraft operate in the Baltic skies. Their presence, NATO sources explain, offers advanced interception and deterrence skills in a strategic area where Russian military traffic is frequent and often devoid of the requested safety communications.
