Observation flight over Benelux by Russian AN-30B.

A Russian Antonov An-30B surveillance aircraft is monitoring Benelux airspace in the framework of the Open Skies Treaty, the Defense Ministry said. "The monitoring flight over Benelux is carried out on March 11-15, 2019 from Kecskemet Open Skies airfield. The maximum range is 945 kilometers," it said.

An-30 (Picture source: Wolfgang Gartenfreuden)

The Russian aircraft flies along an agreed route and Benelux experts onboard control the equipment engagement and compliance with treaty provisions.

The monitoring flights are made to promote transparency in military activities of the parties to the treaty and enhance trust. It is the fifth Russian monitoring flight over the airspace of the parties to the Open Skies Treaty in 2019.

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