NATO’s defensive capabilities in the Baltic region, Estonia celebrated the reopening of the Ämari Air Base on November 8, 2024. After extensive renovations, the base is set to play a crucial role in supporting NATO’s Air Policing mission and fortifying the Alliance’s operational capacity on its eastern flank. The grand reopening marked a milestone for both Estonia and NATO, underscoring the strategic importance of the Baltic states in the current geopolitical landscape.
The renovation, supervised by the Estonian Defence Investment Centre, covered approximately 275,000 square meters of the base’s critical operational surfaces. These upgrades encompassed extensive work on the base’s runways, taxiways, and parking areas, ensuring they meet NATO’s latest operational standards and are fully equipped to handle modern, high-performance fighter jets and support aircraft. Significant improvements were also made to Ämari’s drainage system, with clear, durable runway and taxiway markings facilitating safe operations even under challenging weather conditions.
Funded with a total investment of 18.5 million euros, the project was pre-financed by Estonia, contributing 6.5 million euros, and Luxembourg, providing an additional 12 million euros. This collaborative funding effort showcases NATO’s commitment to its common defense infrastructure, with Estonia and Luxembourg expecting reimbursement through NATO’s shared funding mechanisms.
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission has served as a security cornerstone for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since the Baltic nations joined NATO in 2004. This mission relies primarily on two main bases: Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and Ämari Air Base in Estonia. While Šiauliai has hosted NATO fighter detachments continuously for two decades, providing robust aerial protection for the Baltic states, Ämari joined the mission in 2014 to expand the mission’s capabilities.
The upgrades at Ämari allow NATO to deploy fighter aircraft across a broader geographic footprint, giving the Alliance enhanced flexibility and readiness to respond to potential threats on its eastern flank. With two bases positioned strategically in Lithuania and Estonia, NATO’s air forces can now operate with greater resilience, providing comprehensive coverage over the Baltic region. This positioning reinforces NATO’s commitment to a united and secure Alliance, particularly as tensions persist in Eastern Europe.
Estonia’s Minister of Defence, Hanno Pevkur, emphasized the importance of modernized air defense facilities to NATO’s strategic posture in the Baltic region. “With these upgrades, Estonia reaffirms its commitment to the Baltic Air Policing mission, which is a critical pillar of NATO’s collective defense,” Pevkur stated. He noted that the renovations enhance Estonia’s capacity to support and host NATO’s operations, improving security not only for Estonia but also for its neighboring Baltic states.
Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, attended the event and praised Estonia’s efforts to keep Ämari as a fully operational and strategic asset for NATO. He highlighted the base’s role as a “second anchor point” in the Baltic Air Policing mission, underscoring its operational and symbolic value to NATO’s air defense framework. According to General Poschwatta, Ämari’s modernization sends a clear message of deterrence, ensuring that NATO is ready to respond decisively to any threat in the Baltic Sea region.
Ämari has hosted ten Allied fighter detachments over the years as part of NATO’s rotational deployment strategy, a testament to its integral role in regional security. With its newly modernized facilities, the base is now fully equipped to accommodate the latest generation of NATO aircraft. On December 1, the Royal Netherlands Air Force will be the first to utilize Ämari’s upgraded infrastructure, deploying a squadron of F-35 Lightning II fighters to resume air policing operations.
The arrival of these fifth-generation fighters at Ämari marks a significant leap in interoperability and capability for NATO in the Baltic region. The F-35s, equipped with advanced radar and stealth technology, symbolize the technological strides NATO has made in air defense, enhancing the Alliance’s ability to respond to security challenges with precision and strength.
Established in 1997 as an Estonian Air Force installation, Ämari Air Base has long been a focal point of national and regional defense. With Estonia’s NATO membership in 2004, the base was gradually upgraded to meet NATO standards, integrating into the Alliance’s defense network. In 2014, NATO formally designated Ämari as a Baltic Air Policing mission base, enhancing its role as a critical player in the region’s defense strategy, particularly amid a changing and often volatile security environment.
Today, Ämari stands as a symbol of Estonia’s commitment to the Alliance and its shared defense responsibilities. The recent renovations reflect both the Estonian government’s dedication to security and NATO’s recognition of Estonia’s strategic role on the eastern flank.
In the event of a regional escalation or threat to the Baltic states, NATO would rely on coordinated air, ground, and intelligence support from bases like Ämari and Šiauliai to protect its Baltic members. The two bases, located strategically in Estonia and Lithuania, form the backbone of NATO’s air defense infrastructure in this region. Together, they would ensure rapid deployment and rotation of NATO fighters, providing immediate air cover to the Baltic territories.
Operationally, these bases are well-prepared for prolonged deployment scenarios, allowing NATO to maintain a continuous and sustainable defense posture in the region. NATO’s air assets, including fighters and support aircraft, would operate on a rotational basis, bolstering deterrence while signaling NATO’s readiness to respond effectively to any aggressive advances.
The logistics capabilities of Ämari and Šiauliai also make them invaluable to NATO’s operational strategy. Both bases offer ample facilities for refueling, ammunition storage, and equipment staging, enabling NATO forces to sustain prolonged defense efforts if needed. In a conflict scenario, these logistical hubs would ensure that both air and ground units have the necessary resources to maintain operational tempo, supporting a comprehensive and coordinated response.
Additionally, Ämari and Šiauliai serve as points of intelligence and surveillance operations, which are vital for maintaining situational awareness and executing tactical responses. Drones, reconnaissance aircraft, and intelligence-gathering teams stationed at these bases would monitor adversary activities, providing NATO’s decision-makers with real-time information crucial for rapid and effective planning.
As NATO has invested in modernizing its eastern-flank infrastructure, both Ämari and Šiauliai are equipped to accommodate reinforcements from across the Alliance. In case of a security crisis, NATO could quickly mobilize additional troops and resources from other member states, strengthening its presence and demonstrating collective resolve. The upgraded facilities at these bases ensure they can handle substantial troop deployments, making them robust platforms for a potential rapid buildup of NATO forces.
Moreover, the bases would act as tactical command centers, where NATO leaders could coordinate closely with local Baltic authorities to adapt and refine deployments in response to on-the-ground developments. This regional coordination would allow NATO to respond dynamically to evolving threats, ensuring that every move is strategically aligned with the operational requirements of the moment.
