Hungarian Defence Forces’ Baltic Air Policing Mission Comes to an End

Text: Captain Róbert Tóth | Photo: by the author, István Zoltán Vasadi’s archive photo | 11:30 December 1, 2025

Starting from 1 August this year, the Hungarian Defence Forces performed the tasks of the Baltic Air Policing Mission. Since the 2004 NATO accession of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, in the spirit of collective defence, in four-month rotations (“blocks”), the NATO allies guarantee the security of the airspace of the three Baltic countries. Stationed on Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania as Block 69 of the BAP Mission, the Hungarian Defence Forces Baltic Air Policing (BAP) Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Detachment was participating in the mission already on the fourth occasion after 2015, 2019 and 2022. The Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were scrambled on 22 occasions, and the Hungarian pilots logged more than 400 flight hours in four months.

The handover-takeover ceremony of the Baltic Air Policing Mission took place on Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania on 27 November 2025. In his speech delivered at the event, Lithuanian Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas pointed out that safeguarding the Baltic airspace is one of the most visible proofs of the effective and exemplary cooperation among NATO allies. In recognition of the high-quality service, the deputy minister presented mementos to the commanders of the Hungarian and the Spanish contingents. In what followed, Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander, NATO Combined Air Operations Centre, Uedem, Germany praised the achievements of the Hungarian and Spanish contingents as well as the Italian one stationed on Amari Air Base, Estonia. He thanked the participants for their service so far, and then wished every success to the Spanish contingent which is to take over the lead nation role of the Baltic Air Policing Mission.

In his speech, János Béres, Hungary’s ambassador accredited to Lithuania emphasized that the fourth successful participation of the Hungarian Defence Forces in the Baltic Air Policing Mission demonstrates Hungary’s commitment to NATO and its solidarity as an ally. He added that the security of the Baltic region is in the interest of NATO and also of Europe as a whole.

Subsequently, Colonel Dainius Paskevicius, Chief of Staff, Lithuanian Air Force presented medals to the personnel of the Hungarian and the Spanish contingents, after which the commander of the new Spanish contingent took over the symbolic key to the Baltic airspace.

In his speech, Lieutenant Colonel Péter Tősér, Commander, Block 69 of the Hungarian Defence Forces Baltic Air Policing Quick Reaction Alert Detachment summed up the lessons learned in the mission, thanking the Lithuanian host for its support and the Spanish air force for its cooperation, which, as he said, significantly contributed to the successful completion of the mission and was mutually beneficial to all participants.

The members of the Hungarian delegation included, among others, Brigadier General Csaba Ugrik, Head of Operations Directorate, HDF Defence Staff; Brigadier General Dr. Tamás Bali, Deputy Commander, HDF Joint Operations Command; Brigadier General Ferenc Könczöl, Commander, HDF 101st Aviation Wing; and Colonel Kálmán Hüse, Hungary’s defence, military and air attaché accredited to Lithuania.

The actual handover of the Baltic Air Policing Mission is scheduled to take place on 1st December 2025, when the F-18 fighters of the Spanish air force officially take over the QRA mission from the Hungarian Gripens.