After registering its arrival in Lithuania a few days ago, the Italian Air Force Gulfstream E.550 CAEW (reg. MM62293) based at Siauliai AB conducted its first operational mission in the Baltic Sea region on September 12, 2023.
The aircraft took off at 09:00 CEST and orbited for approximately 8 hours over the airspace of Lithuania and Latvia. The mission was conducted in support of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which is designed to deter and defend against any potential threats to the airspace of the Baltic states.
The Gulfstream E.550 CAEW is a highly capable airborne early warning and control aircraft that can provide surveillance, tracking, and identification of airborne threats. It is equipped with a powerful radar system that can detect and track aircraft up to 400 miles away. The aircraft also has a suite of other sensors that can provide information on the environment around the aircraft, such as weather and ground terrain.
The deployment of the Italian aircraft is a sign of NATO’s commitment to security in the Baltic region. The Baltic states are located in a strategically important region, and they are increasingly vulnerable to potential threats from Russia. The deployment of the Italian aircraft helps to bolster NATO’s air defense capabilities in the region and helps to deter any potential aggressors.