Poland, Latvia and Romania call for immediate air defense reinforcement in NATO’s east

The Bucharest Nine defense ministers have issued a joint appeal for urgent measures to strengthen NATO's ability to detect and neutralize low-flying objects in its airspace.

Sep 19, 2024 - 05:00

Poland, Latvia and Romania call for immediate air defense reinforcement in NATO’s east

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Defense ministers from Romania, Poland, and Latvia have jointly appealed to NATO allies, emphasizing the urgent need to bolster air defense measures along the alliance’s eastern flank, reports Delfi, citing the Latvian Ministry of Defense.

The call came during a meeting of the “Bucharest Nine” defense ministers, where Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds urged allies to “find immediate collective solutions to strengthen NATO airspace.”

The ministers’ appeal follows recent airspace violations by Russian drones. “Russian aggression continues to pose risks and threats to NATO countries, including airspace violations by Russian drones,” Spruds said, noting that such incidents have occurred in Latvia, Romania, and Poland over the past month.

In their joint letter, the ministers argue that NATO countries must enhance their capabilities to “detect, identify, and neutralize low and slow-flying objects,” and that air defense rotation should be implemented without delay.

In September, Russia violated NATO airspace in Latvia, Romania, and Poland.

A Russian military drone, reportedly equipped with explosives and entering from Belarus, crashed in Latvia. This event, along with recurring drone incidents in Romania, has reignited discussions within NATO about appropriate responses to such airspace violations.

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