Denmark is to send six F-16 fighter jets to the Baltic states to help patrol the airspace over the region as tension increases following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Danish media reported.

Part of an expanded NATO air policing mission, the F-16s will be sent from Denmark to the Baltic states and will be on patrol from May 1 through the end of August, the Global Post reported

There are already four US F-15 fighter jets currently flying air patrols in the region and the Pentagon will send six additional F-15s and one KC-135 aerial refueling tanker to join the mission.

France has also offered to send four fighter jets to the Baltic states and Poland.
Sending fighters jets follows a decision by the US to strengthen military cooperation to show solidarity after Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

As a sign of protest over how Russia is handling the situation in Ukraine, the US has also suspended all military cooperation, AFP reported.

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