Tallinn, August 31 - Two Italian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, on August 28, 2025, scrambled from Ämari Air Base in Estonia to intercept a Russian An-124 “Ruslan” heavy transport aircraft operating near NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea. This incident, part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, marked a significant operational milestone as it was the first time Italian F-35s were deployed in this role in the Baltic region. The Russian aircraft, one of the world’s largest military transport planes, was detected flying in international waters without a flight plan, with its transponder off, and without communicating with air traffic control. Such behavior, which NATO considers a potential risk to airspace safety, prompted the rapid response from the Italian jets operating under the direction of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany. The F-35s, belonging to Italy’s 32nd and 6th Wings, successfully intercepted and shadowed the An-124, ensuring it did not encroach on Alliance airspace while gathering critical intelligence on its flight path and behavior.
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The An-124, designed during the Soviet era to rival the American C-5 Galaxy, is a strategic airlifter capable of carrying over 120 tons of cargo, including armored vehicles, helicopters, or missile system components. Its presence near NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in the sensitive Baltic region close to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, raised strategic concerns due to its capacity to support large-scale military logistics. The aircraft’s flight without a transponder or flight plan is a tactic NATO has associated with Russian attempts to test Alliance response times and air defense capabilities. The Italian F-35s, equipped with advanced stealth, radar, and sensor fusion technologies, provided a significant tactical advantage during the interception. Their ability to detect and track the An-124 from a distance allowed NATO to monitor the Russian aircraft’s movements closely, reinforcing the Alliance’s commitment to securing the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which rely on rotating NATO fighter detachments for air defense.
This interception occurred as part of NATO’s long-standing Baltic Air Policing mission, initiated in 2004 to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic states, which lack their own fighter aircraft. Italy took over this mission in late July 2025, succeeding the Portuguese Air Force, and deployed its F-35s to Ämari Air Base to maintain a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) posture. The Italian jets’ advanced capabilities, including networked data-sharing and electro-optical systems, enabled real-time intelligence collection on the Russian aircraft’s activities, which was relayed to NATO command for analysis. The mission highlighted the strategic importance of the Baltic region, where Russian military activity has intensified amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Encounters with the An-124 are rare compared to more frequent interceptions of Russian fighter jets or bombers like the Su-27 or Su-24, making this event particularly noteworthy for NATO’s situational awareness and deterrence efforts.
The successful interception by the Italian F-35s underscores NATO’s robust air defense framework and Italy’s growing role in collective security. The operation demonstrated the Alliance’s ability to respond swiftly to potential airspace violations, maintaining readiness on its eastern flank. After escorting the An-124 until it cleared the monitored area, the Italian jets returned safely to Ämari Air Base. This incident, while routine in the context of NATO’s air policing efforts, reflects the ongoing challenge of managing Russian military flights near Alliance borders. The data gathered during the interception will likely inform NATO’s understanding of Russian logistical operations, particularly in Kaliningrad, a heavily militarized enclave that serves as a key hub for Russian forces in the region. As NATO continues to rotate advanced fighter jets like the F-35 through the Baltic, such missions reinforce the Alliance’s commitment to deterrence and the protection of its member states’ sovereignty.