NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is deploying its E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania on Jan. 17.
Photo: NATO
The purpose of this deployment is to support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and to monitor Russian military activity. This move is a response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, which has threatened peace and security in Europe. In order to address this threat, NATO has increased its air presence in eastern Europe with additional fighters, surveillance aircraft, and tankers.
Along with the deployment of these aircraft, 180 military personnel will also be deployed to the Romanian Air Force base at Otopeni near Bucharest in support of the aircraft. The mission is scheduled to last several weeks and the NATO AWACS will conduct air surveillance missions until the end of the month, with reconnaissance flights over Alliance territory beginning in the coming days.
NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu expressed gratitude towards Romania for hosting the aircraft. She emphasized that there must be no doubt about NATO’s resolve to protect and defend every inch of Allied territory.
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