Šiauliai, LithuaniaMilitary Aviation
Šiauliai, LithuaniaBelgian F-16s take on NATO air defence duties in Lithuania
Belgian fighters are operating from Šiauliai Air Base, Defence Industry Europe reports. The deployment follows the formal transition of NATO’s Baltic mission from air policing to air defence.
Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcons are carrying out NATO air defence duties from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, the Polish European defence industry news portal Defence Industry Europe reported on 14 November 2026. According to the publication, the detachment arrived in early November and joined the Italian Air Force, which continues to lead the mission in the Baltic region.
Earlier report identifies six Belgian F-16s
An earlier report by the BNS news agency, published by Lithuanian media outlet LRT on 29 October, also described Belgium’s involvement. The Italian contingent would be reinforced by around 100 military personnel and six F-16s, it said, citing information from Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence.
The two reports differ on the timeline, however. The LRT/BNS report gave 29 October 2026 as the date of the welcoming ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base. The information was attributed to Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence, but the original announcement has not been found. Defence Industry Europe reports that the Belgian contingent arrived in early November. At the time of publication, Flank had found no official Belgian or NATO announcement on the deployment or the precise date on which the contingent took over duties.
Baltic mission shifts to air defence
The change in the mission’s format is described by the Estonian Defence Forces. Their official website states that the NATO summit hosted by Ankara in summer 2026 decided that the mission would transition from air policing to air defence from 1 August 2026. The Estonian military explains that the Baltic states have no fighter aircraft of their own for these tasks and rely on rotating allied contingents.
Türkiye’s participation is also confirmed by an official source. According to the rotation schedule published by the Estonian Defence Forces, Turkish F-16s will be deployed at Ämari from 1 August to 30 November 2026.
Defence Industry Europe presents the Belgian deployment as part of a framework bringing together fighter aircraft, ground-based defence assets, surveillance and command. According to the portal, Allied Air Command coordinates these forces through the Combined Air Operations Centres. According to the specialist publication Defence Industry Europe, NATO says this organisation supports responses to threats ranging from crewed aircraft and drones to cruise and ballistic missiles.
This description refers to the overall defence system, not to the Belgian F-16s’ own capabilities. Nor, without a comparison with the previous rotation, can it be concluded that the number of allied aircraft in the region has increased.
Sources
2 primary or official2 secondary reports
Primary / Official
Estonian Defence Forces · mil.ee
LennubaasPrimary sourceMilitaryEstonian Defence Forces · mil.ee
NATO´s Air Defence Mission in Ämari Air BasePrimary sourceMilitary
Secondary reporting
Defence Industry Europe · defence-industry.eu
Belgium deploys F-16 fighters to Lithuania for NATO’s enhanced air defence mission in the BalticsOtherLithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) · lrt.lt
Baltijos šalių oro gynybos misiją stiprina Belgijos karinės oro pajėgosVerified media
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