Spanish fighters intercept a Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea

Russian provocations towards NATO are increasing. The missions of the Armed Forces that are dedicated to guarding the security of the alliance's eastern flank have to be activated more and more frequently to remind Russia that it cannot enter its territory. The last time, it was the Spanish fighters who had to be used in this mission.

Two EF-18M fighters from the 'Ámbar' Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) have identified and escorted a Russian surveillance aircraft when it was flying over the Baltic Sea. As reported by the Defense General Staff, the Russian aircraft came from the Saint Petersburg area and was flying over international waters without having submitted a flight plan, with the transponder disconnected and without maintaining communication with civil air control services. Faced with this situation, the Uedem Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC Uedem), responsible for directing NATO surveillance and air defense operations in this area of ​​Europe, ordered an Alpha Scramble mission, a term used to designate the actual activation of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) means.

The two Spanish EF-18Ms took off from Ämari, located the aircraft, carried out its visual identification and escorted it during its transit. The Russian aircraft remained over international waters at all times and there was no violation of the airspace of Estonia or any other allied country. Once the intervention was over, the Spanish fighters returned to the Ämari air base.

"This first real activation demonstrates that the detachment is prepared to respond quickly and accurately when ordered by the NATO chain of command. It is the result of the training and daily work of all the people who keep our capacity operational," said the head of DAT Ámbar, Commander Antonio Mancebo Marín.

The mission mobilized pilots, operations, maintenance, weapons, communications, force protection and other support elements in a coordinated manner. Their joint work allows us to keep the aircraft ready and guarantee an immediate response to any situation that requires the intervention of the alert means.

DAT 'Amber': Baltic Air Defense

The Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Ámbar', under the command of Commander Antonio Mancebo Marín, is made up of around 110 soldiers from different units of the Air and Space Army, with a main contribution from the 15th Wing and the Air Deployment Support Squadron (EADA), both located in Zaragoza. It has four EF-18M aircraft and will remain in Estonia until the beginning of October 2026.

From Ämari, the detachment contributes to the air defense of the Baltic by providing warning services and carrying out training missions with other allied countries. This first real activation confirms its response capacity and materializes Spain's commitment to collective defense and the protection of NATO's eastern flank.