NATO, Crosetto: “Drone in Lithuanian airspace shot down by Italian fighter jets”

Milan, 15 Sept. (LaPresse) – Two Italian fighter jets deployed as part of NATO’s air defence mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank shot down a drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace late on Monday evening. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto reported this on Xil. The aircraft were two Eurofighter F-2000s from the Italian Air Force’s ‘Baltic Thunder III’ Air Task Force. “The Italian crews intercepted the unmanned aircraft, neutralising it in accordance with the Alliance’s operational procedures. This is the second such incident in the space of a month involving our fighter jets,” Crosetto stated. “It is also because of incidents like this that the presence of our military personnel on the Eastern Flank is essential,” the minister commented, “to guarantee collective security. Today, I will be there alongside them to convey the support of the Government and of Italy, and to thank them, on behalf of the Italian people, for the invaluable work they carry out.” Following yesterday’s visit to Bulgaria, Crosetto is continuing his mission today on the Eastern Flank of the North Atlantic Alliance, with stops in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, where he will hold a number of institutional meetings and visit the Italian contingents.