BRUSSELS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Portugal will take over the leadership of NATO's Baltic air policing mission from Denmark on May 2, NATO said in a press release Wednesday.
NATO Baltic air policing missions have been carried out since 2004 with NATO allies taking turns deploying their interceptors and staff in the Baltic states in a four-month rotation.
The Portuguese Air Force will deploy four F-16M fighter jets, as well as a 90-strong detachment of pilots, ground crews and support personnel to Siauliai, Lithuania.
France and Spain will also take part in the mission with French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 fighters and Spanish Eurofighter jets deployed at bases in Estonia and Lithuania.
