They are Able and Prepared

Péter Szijjártó emphasized that the Baltic Air Policing Mission is currently one of NATO’s most important and dangerous operations, in which the Hungarian airmen have performed their duties very professionally again, thereby strengthening the cohesion and defence posture of the Alliance.

The ministerial delegation also encountered a special event: on entering Lithuanian airspace, two Hungarian QRA Gripen fighter jets intercepted the aircraft transporting the minister within the framework of a Tango scramble, so the minister had the opportunity to experience firsthand the process of a live interception in the air. After landing, Péter Szijjártó and the delegation headed by him were introduced to the capabilities of Gripen fighter jets and the Hungarian airmen’s task system. During a second scramble, they were given an insight into the ground control interception process of executing the Tango scramble.

Tamás Vargha also underlined the importance of Hungarian participation in safeguarding the Baltic airspace, and expressed his appreciation and thanks to the airmen for doing their service by high standards on NATO’s eastern flank.