(16 Feb 2017) The recent deployment of advanced weaponry in the Russian exclave Kaliningrad has raised concerns over Moscow's ability to strike major European capitals and enhance its ability to dominate airspace around the Baltic region in case of conflict.
NATO's AWACS squadrons regularly patrol airspace near the Suwalki Gap separating Kaliningrad and Belarus, contributing to reassurance measures to Baltic and Eastern European countries but also monitoring Russian activity below.
In November, Russia said it had deployed its Bastion coastal defence missile system with a range of up to 450 kilometres (280 miles) which can be used against ships, as well as ground targets.
Another missile system deployed to the region is the Iskander, a truck-mounted weapon that can reach targets of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles) away.
Meanwhile, the S-400 air defence missiles can track and target aircraft or missiles up to 400 kilometres (250 miles) away.
Together, these give Russian forces the multi-layered ability to restrict access to NATO aircraft and ships to most of the Baltic region, and potentially the ability to target cities such as Copenhagen or Berlin.
Major Johannes Glowka from NATO's AWACS force is tasked with surveillance and airborne command and control missions.
Flying at high altitude in northeast Poland, the NATO planes monitor surrounding airspace and contribute to NATO's reassurance measures to eastern European and Baltic countries.
But while NATO is concerned about Russian military activities in Kaliningrad, they insist they see no intent to use that force and that day-to-day operations are continuing as usual.
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