Ahead of Tuesday’s talks of the United Kingdom-led alliance of northern European #NATO countries, prime ministers of #Estonia and #Netherlands, Kristen #Michal and Dick #Schoof visited the upgraded Amari Air Base.
’We have to stop the #Russian aggression war in #Ukraine and mingling in our society,’ #Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof said talking about the upcoming JEF defense summit.
According to the host of the summit, Prime Minister Kristen Michal the main topic is security, increasing defense spending, cooperation.
Amari usually hosts NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission fast jets from a variety of European NATO member states' air forces, on a rotational basis. Germany, the U.K., the #Czech Republic, and #Belgium are among those who have contributed to the mission in recent years.
After nearly a year-long hiatus due to the renovation of the air base, #Dutch #F35 #fighter #jets arrived in Amari a couple of weeks back. A total of 120 Dutch personnel will be in Estonia for four months, after which the next country will take over the mission.
With the arrival of the Dutch, the #Spanish forces, who were participating in a training mission with their #NASAMS system, departed.
In 2026, Turkey's air force is expected to take part in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia.
Estonia is expected to receive its own medium-range air defense system next year.
SHOTLIST
- WS Netherlands plane landing
- WS Prime Minister Dick Schoof exiting plane, hugging Prime Minister Kristen Michal
- Handshake with air base officials
- Dutch F-35 fighter jet flying and landing
- VS Dutch F-35 fighter jet in hangar
- WS Prime ministers, air base official walking
- Michal, Schoof preparing for interview
- SOUNDBITE(English) Dick Schoof, Netherlands Prime Minister: ’’We have to deal with and stop the Russian aggression war in Ukraine, and we have to stop all those Russian intermingles in our society and I think we need a strong alliance, and I see a strong alliance.’’
- SOUNDBITE(Estonian) Kristen Michal, Estonian Prime Minister: ‘’The main topic for us is, of course, security, increasing defense spending, cooperation. As you know, the Netherlands currently ensures our air safety. We cooperate extensively in renewable energy. Because the Dutch company Power2X wants to establish production in Estonia. Similarly, the Dutch are interested in building new wind farms.’’
- Dutch F-35 fighter jet landing
