(https://www.defensenews.com/#publisher)     (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=143)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon-32x32.png@d=143)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=143)  (https://www.defensenews.com/pf/resources/img/favicons/def/safari-pinned-tab.svg?d=143)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon.ico@d=143)   Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents  (index.html)                       (https://d1voyiv1eh2vzr.cloudfront.net/)  (https://p.typekit.net/)  (https://use.typekit.net/)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com/)  (../../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=IBM+Plex+Serif%253Aital,wght@0,300%3B0,400%3B0,500%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,300%3B1,400%3B1,700&display=optional.css)  (../../../../../../../use.typekit.net/azw8xnv.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/output-types/default.css@d=143&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/combinations/default.css@d=143&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/css/military-times.css@d=143&mxId=00000000.css)   Sections     Search     Sections Sections      (Defense News Logo) (https://www.defensenews.com/) (Defense News Logo)   (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership   Search             Close            (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress Show Congress sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/) Budget     (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/) Training & Sim  (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/) Unmanned  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global Show Global sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/) Asia Pacific  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/) Europe  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/) Mideast Africa  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/) The Americas     (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/) Industry Show Industry sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/) MilTech  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100Opens in new window   (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window      (https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/) Opinion  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video Show Video sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/video/dntv/) Defense News Weekly  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/money-minute/) Money Minute     (https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/) Outlook  (https://www.defensenews.com/press-release/) Press Releases  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership Show Thought Leadership sub sections      (https://hub.sightlinemediagroup.com/market-intel/) Whitepapers & eBooksOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/special-coverage/) DSDs & SMRsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) WebcastsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window      (https://link.defensenews.com/join/5ba/signup-newsletters?source=dfn-nav) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events) Events Calendar  (https://www.defensenews.com/native/) Native  (https://www.defensenews.com/ebb/) Early Bird Brief  (https://defensenews-va.newsmemory.com/) Digital EditionOpens in new window          Featured: (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Send us your pitch  (https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/) AFA Air, Space & Cyber Coverage  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100 Defense Companies                   (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe) Europe    Germany sending fighter jets to Latvia to protect election from drone incidents By (https://www.defensenews.com/author/linus-holler) Linus Höller     Thursday, Sep 17, 2026                                ()    An Eurofighter aircraft of the German Air Force sits on the tarmac at the Latvian air base of Lielvarde in April 2024. (Alexander Welscher/picture alliance via Getty Images)    VIENNA — Germany will send four (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/19/eurofighter-vendor-targets-combat-mass-over-next-gen-buzz/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/19/eurofighter-vendor-targets-combat-mass-over-next-gen-buzz/) Eurofighter jets to defend Latvian airspace during its upcoming elections, as concerns over drone incursions from neighboring Russia and Belarus remain high.  Berlin plans to dispatch four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, alongside a contingent of several dozen soldiers and technicians, to the Lielvārde air base in central Latvia. They will be there for a week in late September and early October, the German ministry of defense said in a statement.     Latvian authorities had requested support from allies to secure the skies over the country during the general election, Germany said. The Latvian parliamentary election is scheduled to take place Oct. 3.  The mission is billed as part of NATO’s enhanced air policing north, or eAPN, in the Baltic States, though the short, one-week timeline and narrower election focus set it apart from the alliance’s routine four-month rotations.  None of the three small Baltic States possess their own fighter aircraft. Unlike northern Estonia and southern Lithuania, Latvia is not usually home to permanently stationed NATO jets; instead, the allied aircraft stationed in the neighboring states also cover Latvian skies.      The Baltic states in particular have been calling for strong NATO commitments to secure the alliance’s eastern flank, as governments in the three small countries feel particularly threatened by Russia. This year, repeated unauthorized drone incursions have additionally put the countries on edge. Some of these have been (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/03/27/ukrainian-drones-hit-all-three-baltic-states-did-russia-redirect-them/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/03/27/ukrainian-drones-hit-all-three-baltic-states-did-russia-redirect-them/) identified as Ukrainian drones that strayed off course from their targets in Russia, while other instances remain unidentified. Significantly, (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/15/italian-nato-jet-downs-drone-in-lithuania-minister-says-it-probably-came-from-russia/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/15/italian-nato-jet-downs-drone-in-lithuania-minister-says-it-probably-came-from-russia/) Italian NATO jets in neighboring Lithuania shot down a suspected Russian-made drone this week after it crossed the border from Belarus. It was the first time a drone was shot down in Lithuanian airspace. Lielvārde air base, where the German Eurofighters will be stationed during their mission, has also seen rotating contingents of other NATO countries’ fighter jets. Just a few weeks ago, in late August, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets visited the base. In April, French Rafale jets based out of Šiauliai, Lithuania, visited the airfield. NATO has also used the base for its AWACS aircraft during missions along the Russian border.  Latvia and its two Baltic neighbors have been members of NATO since 2004, joining alongside fellow eastern flank countries Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, and Slovenia.  About  (https://www.defensenews.com/author/linus-holler) Linus Höller   Linus Höller is Defense News' Europe correspondent and OSINT investigator. He reports on the arms deals, sanctions, and geopolitics shaping Europe and the world. He holds master’s degrees in WMD nonproliferation, terrorism studies, and international relations, and works in four languages: English, German, Russian, and Spanish.  Share:                             (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe) More In Europe  ()     (/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) Trust between operators, CCAs starts with simulations: Former Air Force secretary  Simulations and exercises will be key to boosting trust between operators and CCAs, according to former U.S. Air Force secretary Frank Kendall.        ()     (/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) (https://www.defensenews.com/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) Celebrating 40 years of Defense News  Since 1986, Defense News has been the authoritative voice for the world's defense decision-makers.        ()     (/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) (https://www.defensenews.com/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour  In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.        ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington  The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.        ()     (/unmanned/2025/09/11/pentagon-stages-first-top-drone-school-for-operators-to-hone-skills/) (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2025/09/11/pentagon-stages-first-top-drone-school-for-operators-to-hone-skills/) Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills  Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability.              Featured Video    (/video/2026/09/18/our-task-is-to-adapt-right-now-air-force-leaders-gather-to-plot-future-of-warfare/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/18/our-task-is-to-adapt-right-now-air-force-leaders-gather-to-plot-future-of-warfare/) ‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare        ()     (/video/2026/09/15/first-look-new-designs-for-space-force-mess-dress-uniforms-include-pockets-for-women/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/15/first-look-new-designs-for-space-force-mess-dress-uniforms-include-pockets-for-women/) First look: New designs for Space Force mess dress uniforms include pockets for women        ()     (/video/2026/09/14/does-the-us-need-a-culture-shift-to-create-a-workforce-for-the-defense-industrial-base/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/14/does-the-us-need-a-culture-shift-to-create-a-workforce-for-the-defense-industrial-base/) Does the US need a culture shift to create a workforce for the defense industrial base?        ()     (/video/2026/09/14/pcs-move-reset-your-finances-the-right-way-money-minute/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/14/pcs-move-reset-your-finances-the-right-way-money-minute/) PCS Move? Reset Your Finances the Right Way | Money Minute                       Trending Now (/global/europe/2026/09/18/latvia-chooses-czech-howitzers-over-swedish-archer-offer/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/18/latvia-chooses-czech-howitzers-over-swedish-archer-offer/) Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer        (/global/europe/2026/09/18/french-army-wants-to-keep-adversaries-guessing-on-see-through-battlefield/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/18/french-army-wants-to-keep-adversaries-guessing-on-see-through-battlefield/) French Army wants to keep adversaries guessing on see-through battlefield        (/news/your-military/2026/09/18/us-air-force-has-a-14-billion-supply-hole-service-officials-say/) (https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/09/18/us-air-force-has-a-14-billion-supply-hole-service-officials-say/) US Air Force has a $14 billion supply hole, service officials say        (/industry/2026/09/17/lockheed-martin-gets-first-batch-of-patriot-interceptor-parts-from-general-motors/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2026/09/17/lockheed-martin-gets-first-batch-of-patriot-interceptor-parts-from-general-motors/) Lockheed Martin gets first batch of Patriot interceptor parts from General Motors        (/news/your-military/2026/09/17/us-air-force-to-extend-service-of-b-1-b-2-bombers-official-says/) (https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/09/17/us-air-force-to-extend-service-of-b-1-b-2-bombers-official-says/) US Air Force to extend service of B-1, B-2 bombers, official says                         (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseNews)   Facebook page  (https://twitter.com/defense_news)   Twitter feed  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/rss/)   RSS feed    Defense News © 2026  Terms of Use (https://www.defensenews.com/m/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/terms-of-services/) Terms of Service    Get Us (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/m/defense-news-rss-feeds/) RSS FeedsOpens in new window   (https://subscribe.sightlinemg.com/collections) Shop MerchOpens in new window     Contact Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/advertising/) Advertise  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/contact-us/) General Contacts, Subscription Services  (https://www.defensenews.com/editorial-contacts/) Editorial Staff  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window     About Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/about-us/) About Us  (https://boards.greenhouse.io/sightlinemediagroup?gh_src=cpxe2a1) CareersOpens in new window      (Defense News Logo)         (gtm)