Latvia Urges NATO to Bolster Baltic Air Defense Amid Russian Airspace Violations

Latvian President Calls for Enhanced NATO Protection

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has urged the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to significantly increase its air defense capabilities in the Baltic States. The call comes in response to a series of alleged Russian airspace violations, which have heightened security concerns across the region. President Rinkevics made his remarks during a NATO Military Committee meeting in Riga on Saturday, September 27, 2025, emphasizing the need for a more robust defensive posture.

Transforming Air Policing into Air Defense

President Rinkevics specifically advocated for the transformation of the existing Baltic Air Policing mission into a comprehensive Baltic air defense mission, complete with updated rules of engagement. He stated, 'Transforming Baltic air policing to a Baltic air defence mission with respective rules of engagement should be a priority.' This sentiment was echoed by neighboring Lithuania, whose Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene had earlier prepared a position paper proposing additional capabilities such as ground-based air defense assets, sensors, and detectors.

The current NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, operational since 2004, is a peacetime initiative designed to safeguard the airspace over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which lack their own combat air forces. Allied nations contribute fighter jets on a rotational basis, stationed at bases like Šiauliai in Lithuania and Ämari in Estonia.

Recent Russian Provocations in Baltic Airspace

The Latvian President's appeal is underpinned by multiple recent incidents involving Russian aircraft. European leaders have reported repeated violations of NATO airspace, including in the Baltic States and Poland. Notable incidents include:

• On September 19, 2025, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets reportedly entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland for approximately 12 minutes. Estonia subsequently requested NATO to apply Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
• Earlier in September, around 20 Russian drones reportedly entered Polish airspace, leading to NATO jets shooting some down.
• On September 25, 2025, Hungarian Gripen fighter jets intercepted a formation of five Russian aircraft, including Su-30s, Su-35s, and MiG-31s, identified west of Latvia's Baltic coast, flying close to NATO airspace in violation of international flight safety rules.
• Unidentified drones were also reported over military sites and airports in Denmark and Norway in late September, described by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as 'hybrid attacks.'

Russia has disputed these claims, denying violations of Estonian airspace and stating that its drones had no intention of hitting targets in Poland.

NATO's Response and Future Considerations

Following the incident over Poland, NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry to reinforce defenses along its eastern flank. However, Baltic officials maintain that further protection is necessary. Decisions within NATO require consensus among its 32 member states. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, acknowledged the ongoing investigations into recent airspace violations, stating that it would be premature to make a decisive change to the mission while assessments are still underway. He noted that a transformation to an air defense mission 'could be an option, depending on the final assessment.'