Portugal’s Air Force Ends NATO Air Policing Mission in Estonia after Intercepting Russian Jets

Portugal’s Air Force concluded its four‑month NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission in Estonia on Friday, having intercepted more than 25 Russian aircraft and logged over 480 flight hours. Defence Minister Nuno Melo praised the contingent as the “first line of defence” against Moscow and affirmed Portugal’s commitment to NATO allies.

Melo met with Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur at the Amari air base, where both officials expressed support for Turkey, which will take over the mission from August to November with five F‑16 fighters and 76 personnel. The ministers also warned of continued Russian military reforms and hybrid threats near NATO’s eastern flank.