F-35 Lightning II jets to arrive in Estonia on Tuesday
According to information available to ERR, American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II aircraft will arrive at Ämari air base on Tuesday. The jets will remain in Estonia for several weeks and conduct training flights with other aircraft of the U.S. and allied air forces.
The F-35 is the U.S. military’s latest-model aircraft. The multi-purpose fighter jet can be used as a reconnaissance plane or tactical bomber as well.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the Americans are planning to permanently station aircraft of the type in Europe starting 2020.
In July last year, Gen. Herbert Carlisle told the Armed Forces Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives that they would like to see F-35 aircraft as part of the Baltic air policing mission at least for some time.
As the general told the online edition of the National Interest, the F-35 conducting flights in the Baltic states is intended to send a signal to potential opponents, including Russia.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
