U.S., Estonia’s and NATO flags flutter next to the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter in Amari Air Base, Estonia, April 25, 2017. INTS KALNINS/REUTERS
The US has allocated $214 million to build airfields, training sites, ranges and other military installations in in Eastern and Northern Europe aimed to counter the so-called “Russian aggression.” The scheduled modernization is a part of the $4.6 billion European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) aimed at “reassuring” European allies.
According to Air Force Times, a total of nine bases in Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Norway, Luxembourg and Iceland will undergo the modernization.
Some of the bases will temporarily house high-tech stealth fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Strike Fighter and reconnaissance assets to track and counter Russian warplanes in the North and Baltic Seas.
“While we can’t provide specific details on future operations and locations, we continuously look for opportunities for our fifth-generation aircraft to conduct interoperability training with our allies and partners in the European theater,” Maj. Juan Martinez, a spokesperson for U.S. European Command, said.
