Estonia’s Ämari Air Base in northwestern Estonia was reopened on Friday after a renovation of its runway. This makes it possible for the base to continue to host NATO’s air policing mission in Estonia. Aircraft from the Estonian Air Force were temporarily stationed at an airfield in Pärnu.
The runway and taxiways were given new surfacing, runway markings and lighting. A new catering complex and a set of barracks for personnel are also nearing completion.
The renovation of the air traffic area at the Ämari base cost around EUR 18.5 million. Back in January of this year, during an information meeting of European defence ministers, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur and Luxembourgian Defence Minister Yuriko Backes signed a bilateral agreement under which Luxemburg provided EUR 12 million for the renovation of the airfield at Ämari base.
“NATO’s air security is extremely important on its eastern flank, and I am delighted that with help from Luxembourg, we have been able to significantly improve the quality of the Ämari air base,” Pevkur said. “We can provide better support and services for our own aircraft and that of our allies. The most important thing is that Baltic air policing missions are returning to Estonia.”
The airfield is a critical element in operational infrastructure. Without it, there would be no Ämari air base and no allied air operations there, according to the base’s commander, Lt Col Maanus Nigul.
Source: BNS
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