Turkish AWACS helps Lithuania
The airspace of NATO’s eastern flank has received another reinforcement. This time, Lithuania benefited, with support coming from Turkey.
Turkey deployed an airborne early warning and control aircraft (AWACS), the Boeing 737 AEW&C, known as the Peace Eagle, to Lithuania. This marks another significant gesture by NATO member states in response to the Russian airspace violations against Alliance countries that occurred in September.
The Turkish AWACS is equipped with an advanced airborne warning and control system which, according to Bloomberg, enables the detection of low-flying drones and other objects invisible to ground-based radar.
Turkey’s actions are not the only recent example of NATO allies strengthening the eastern flank. Italy, for instance, has just announced further reinforcement of Estonian airspace. The Italian Minister of Defense declared this week that the deployment of SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre) air defense systems will be extended for another six months. Poland also provides a noteworthy example: several months ago, an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force began operating over Polish territory.
Unfortunately, the Turkish mission is only temporary. The operation of the aircraft began on Monday and will conclude this Thursday.
