NATO is taking its air policing mission in the Baltic states to a new level: the alliance’s fighter jets will be authorized to shoot down objects violating airspace — including drones and military aircraft — if they pose a security threat. Pilots will no longer need to obtain separate political authorization for this.

According to Current Time, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that NATO is turning the air policing mission into full-fledged air defense, which will allow the alliance to respond more quickly to aerial threats.

In addition, the Ämari Air Base in Estonia has been granted the status of an official NATO operational base.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur explained that fighter pilots will no longer have to contact the political leadership to make a decision. After identifying an object and assessing the risks, the command will be able to independently issue an order to destroy it.

NATO’s air policing mission over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia has been in operation since 2004, after these countries joined the alliance. Previously, fighter jets were mainly scrambled to intercept and escort Russian military aircraft. However, since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, incidents involving drones appearing in the region have become more frequent.

According to the Baltic states’ authorities, the change in the mission’s status is linked to the need to strengthen airspace protection against new threats. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda noted that the previous format was designed for peacetime, whereas the current situation requires tougher measures.

NATO believes that the new authorities will serve as a deterrent factor and strengthen the region’s air defense capabilities.