NATO has deployed Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft to Lithuania, stationing them at the Šiauliai Air Base. Equipped with radar surveillance and control systems, these aircraft are part of a broader effort to enhance situational awareness in the Baltic region, according to NATO Air Command.
The first E-3A arrived in late April, marking the start of the deployment aimed at reinforcing NATO’s presence along its eastern flank. A contingent of three aircraft will operate from Lithuania for several weeks, conducting surveillance flights over the Baltic Sea as part of the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to collective defense.
NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft—often referred to as the Alliance’s “eyes in the sky”—provide essential air and maritime surveillance capabilities. The Boeing E-3A platform supports a wide range of missions, from airspace patrols and counterterrorism operations to evacuation efforts, embargo enforcement, crisis response, and full-scale combat operations.
The deployment of these aircraft to Lithuania underscores NATO’s commitment to maintaining robust aerial surveillance and regional defense along its eastern flank.
This decision is also part of NATO’s Agile Combat Employment concept, which enhances the Alliance’s ability to conduct operations from dispersed and flexible locations. While the aircraft are deployed at the airbase in Lithuania, the unit can quickly respond to emerging threats, demonstrating operational readiness and strengthening cooperation with the host nation.
The presence of early warning and control aircraft at the Šiauliai Air Base also ensures continuous monitoring of the Baltic region. This base is strategically significant, supporting airspace patrols and rotation of NATO forces and assets. It plays a key role in the Alliance‘s air power and deterrence capabilities. Its infrastructure further strengthens operational interoperability between NATO member states, improving collective readiness to respond to sudden shifts in geopolitical dynamics.
NATO’s E-3A AWACS aircraft are capable of carrying out a variety of missions. They can patrol airspace during peacetime, conduct maritime surveillance, and provide assistance in crisis situations.
Source: ukdefencejournal
