Slovak F-16 Fighter Jets to Join NATO Baltic Air Patrol Mission in Late 2025

Slovakia will deploy F-16 fighter aircraft to participate in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission by the end of 2025. The mission aims to protect the airspace of the Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania - which do not possess their own fighter aircraft capabilities. NATO has maintained continuous air policing over the Baltic region since the three countries joined the alliance in 2004, with member nations rotating responsibility for the mission. Slovakia's participation represents a significant step in the country's military modernization efforts, as the nation recently acquired F-16 jets to replace its aging Soviet-era aircraft and enhance its contribution to collective NATO defense.