Russian provocations against NATO are on the rise. The missions of the Armed Forces dedicated to safeguarding the security of the alliance's eastern flank are increasingly being activated to remind Russia that it cannot enter its territory. This time, it was the Spanish fighter jets that had to carry out this mission.
Two EF-18M fighter jets from the Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Ámbar' identified and escorted a Russian surveillance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea. According to the Defense Staff, the Russian aircraft was coming from the St. Petersburg area and was flying over international waters without filing a flight plan, with the transponder turned off, and without communicating with civilian air traffic control services. In response, the Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem (CAOC Uedem), responsible for directing NATO's surveillance and air defense operations in this area of Europe, ordered an Alpha Scramble mission, term used to designate the actual activation of the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) assets.
The two Spanish EF-18M jets took off from Ämari, located the aircraft, visually identified it, and escorted it during its transit. The Russian aircraft remained over international waters at all times, and there was no violation of Estonian or any other allied country's airspace. Once the intervention was completed, the Spanish jets returned to Ämari Air Base.
"This first real activation demonstrates that the detachment is ready to respond quickly and accurately when ordered by NATO's chain of command. It is the result of the training and daily work of all the personnel who keep our capability operational," said Commander Antonio Mancebo Marín, head of DAT Ámbar.
The mission coordinated pilots, operations personnel, maintenance, armament, communications, force protection, and other support elements. Their joint work ensures that the aircraft are ready and guarantees an immediate response to any situation requiring the intervention of alert assets.
DAT 'Ámbar': Baltic Air Defense
The Tactical Air Detachment (DAT) 'Ámbar', under the command of Commander Antonio Mancebo Marín, consists of around 110 military personnel from different units of the Air and Space Force, with a main contribution from Wing 15 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 Baltic air defense by providing alert services and conducting training missions with other allied countries. This first real activation confirms its responsiveness and materializes Spain's commitment to collective defense and the protection of NATO's eastern flank.