VIDEO captures how Hungarian Gripen jets carry out interception missions against Russian aircraft
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From 1 August through 30 November, Hungary is once again responsible for patrolling Baltic airspace as a lead nation, and the country’s fighter jets have already intercepted Russian aircraft on their very first mission. Now, a newly released video offers a behind-the-scenes look at what Hungarian Gripen active deployments look like in the far North.
Hungarian Gripens safeguard NATO interests in the Baltics
As previously reported, Hungary is securing the airspace of three former Soviet republics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), in addition to that of Slovakia, Slovenia, and Croatia. And there’s no shortage of work. Even before its invasion of Ukraine, Russia regularly breached NATO airspace in the Baltic region, typically flying between St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.
Frequent Russian interceptions
Hungarian jets are scrambled from the Å iauliai Air Base in Lithuania and are tasked with intercepting unidentified aircraft, often Russian or with other foreign markings, and escorting them out of NATO airspace. Why is this necessary? Residents of the Baltic states would undoubtedly feel less secure if foreign military aircraft, especially from nations they may view as hostile, could enter their airspace at will.