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Estonia Reopened Ämari Military Base to Enhance NATO's Eastern Defenses Against Russia.
On November 8, 2024, Estonia officially celebrated the reopening of the Ämari Air Base after completing major renovation work. This project, which involved significant upgrades to the base’s runways and taxiways, enhances Estonia’s support for NATO’s Air Policing mission and boosts the Alliance’s operational capacity on its eastern flank.
US A-10 Thunderbolt II Attack Aircraft (Picture source: US MoD)
Supervised by the Estonian Defence Investment Centre, this renovation project covered around 275,000 square meters of operational surfaces, including runways, taxiways, and parking areas. Crucial upgrades were also made to the base's drainage system and to the runway and taxiway markings. The total cost of this renovation was 18.5 million euros, pre-financed by Estonia (6.5 million euros) and Luxembourg (12 million euros), with reimbursement expected through NATO’s common funding.
NATO ensures the surveillance and defense of the Baltic airspace—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—through the Baltic Air Policing mission. This mission primarily relies on two key air bases in the region. The first is Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, which has hosted NATO fighter detachments since 2004, safeguarding Baltic airspace. It remains one of NATO’s main operational platforms in this strategic zone. The second is Ämari Air Base in Estonia, integrated into the mission since 2014. Recently modernized to improve its operational capabilities, this base allows for NATO’s forces to be distributed more widely, providing extended aerial coverage in the Baltic region. In addition to these two main bases, NATO occasionally utilizes other infrastructure in the Baltic states for exercises or temporary deployments, further reinforcing security and air defense capabilities along this frontline.
Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur emphasized the importance of air defense on NATO's eastern flank, stating that these upgrades enable Estonia to better support and host the Baltic Air Policing mission. This mission, a critical part of NATO’s response to security threats in the region, has relied on Estonia’s infrastructure since 2014. With this renovation, Estonia reaffirms its role in the defense of Allied airspace.
Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, praised Estonia’s efforts to maintain Ämari as a strategic asset for NATO. Highlighting the base’s role as a second anchor point for the Baltic Air Policing mission, General Poschwatta underscored its symbolic and operational value for NATO’s air defense and deterrence posture in the Baltic Sea region.
As part of NATO’s air policing operations, Ämari has hosted ten Allied fighter detachments over the years. With the reopening of the modernized facilities, Ämari will host the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35s starting December 1, marking the resumption of NATO air policing operations. The arrival of these fifth-generation fighters demonstrates the advanced interoperability now offered by Ämari, underscoring NATO’s commitment to regional stability and the collective defense of its member states.
Originally established as an Air Force unit in 1997, Ämari Air Base has been a core component of both Estonia’s national defense and NATO’s regional air defense. Following Estonia’s NATO membership in 2004, the base was modernized to meet Alliance standards, becoming fully integrated into NATO’s collective air defense network. In 2014, Ämari was designated as a NATO Air Policing mission base, enhancing regional air defense capabilities, especially amid heightened security concerns.
In the event of an attack on the Baltic states, NATO would implement coordinated measures, fully utilizing the capabilities of the strategic air bases in Šiauliai, Lithuania, and Ämari, Estonia. These bases would play a central role in ensuring the rapid deployment of NATO fighters, providing immediate air cover and protecting Baltic territories. With these installations, Allied fighters could operate on continuous rotation, thereby strengthening air protection and directly deterring any hostile advances.
Simultaneously, these bases would serve as crucial logistics hubs, allowing refueling, ammunition supply, and equipment storage for deployed forces. This logistical support would enable both air and ground units to sustain prolonged operations, a key element in repelling any extended aggression. The bases in Šiauliai and Ämari would also facilitate close coordination between NATO’s air and ground forces, linked to troops already stationed in Poland and the Baltic states, ensuring air support for ground forces and bolstering their strategic positioning.
Furthermore, these bases would serve as support points for intelligence and surveillance operations, deploying drones and reconnaissance aircraft to gather real-time information on adversary movements and positions. This intelligence is essential for effective tactical planning and allows for swift decision-making in an active conflict.
Šiauliai and Ämari are also prepared to host reinforcements from other NATO countries, enabling a rapid buildup of troops and military resources in case of escalation. The recent modernization of these infrastructures ensures their ability to handle substantial reinforcements, thereby strengthening NATO’s collective defense resilience.
Lastly, these bases would act as tactical command centers, where NATO forces would coordinate operations with local authorities in the Baltic states. This regional management is crucial to adjust deployments based on rapidly evolving field operations, ensuring a targeted and effective response. In sum, Šiauliai and Ämari would not only provide air cover but also function as strategic hubs, supporting ground operations, facilitating reinforcements, and ensuring continuous logistical support for a robust and coordinated military response. These infrastructures are thus essential for regional stability and collective security against potential aggression.