Germany to send fighter jets to Latvia amid drone threat

Germany is set to deploy four Eurofighter jets to Latvia to bolster the Baltic nation's air defense during its upcoming parliamentary election on October 3. The decision comes in response to repeated drone incursions and growing security concerns along NATO's eastern flank, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The German fighter jets, belonging to Tactical Air Wing 74, will be stationed at the Lielvārde Air Base in central Latvia for approximately one week, spanning late September into early October. This deployment is part of NATO's integrated air and missile defense system and will operate under the alliance's enhanced Air Policing North mission. In addition to the aircraft, Germany will also send several dozen military personnel to support the operation.

Latvia has reported multiple drone incidents this year. In June, NATO fighters intercepted a foreign drone over the country's eastern region. Another drone was destroyed in August, which authorities later identified as Ukrainian and believed to have entered Latvian airspace from Belarus, possibly due to Russian electronic warfare. The Latvian Ministry of Defense has cautioned that further drone intrusions are possible as long as the conflict in Ukraine persists.

Separately, Germany also announced plans to deploy five Eurofighters and around 120 troops to Ämari, Estonia, from December through March as part of a routine NATO air policing rotation. This will mark Germany's seventh such mission in Estonia.