Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NATO Scrambles Jets as Drones Enter Estonia Airspace

9/2/2026

19 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Estonia scrambled NATO fighter jets after drones entered its airspace early Tuesday.
Brigadier General Riivo Valge said ground air defenses were activated around 3 a.m.
He reported public alerts were issued around 3 a.m.
Turkish jets from Amari Air Base were scrambled under NATO’s Baltic air policing mission.
Latvia issued air alerts in Ludza at 2:00 a.m. and Aluksne at 3:37 a.m., ending by 4:20 a.m.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 NATO launched Baltic Air Policing to protect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania after they joined the alliance. The mission began with NATO members rotating Eurofighter Typhoons and now employs Turkish jets from Amari Air Base to answer early-morning alerts by Brigadier General Riivo Valge. It follows NATO’s air-policing pattern that started with Iceland’s first deployment in May 2008.

1 of 2

Story summary

Estonia scrambled NATO fighter jets after drones entered its airspace early Tuesday.
Brigadier General Riivo Valge said ground air defenses were activated around 3 a.m.
He reported public alerts were issued around 3 a.m.
Turkish jets from Amari Air Base were scrambled under NATO’s Baltic air policing mission.
Latvia issued air alerts in Ludza at 2:00 a.m. and Aluksne at 3:37 a.m., ending by 4:20 a.m.

1 / 2