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NATO F-16s Rush to Intercept Russian Il-76 in First Alert for Portuguese Detachment
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Portuguese Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon jets deployed to Estonia recently intercepted a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft, marking the first alert response by the Portuguese detachment since beginning its rotation at Ämari Air Base, according to NATO Air Command on April 7.
The Portuguese contingent assumed the role as part of NATO’s rotational presence in the Baltic region, replacing the Italian Air Force detachment.
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Portugal began its deployment to Estonia on April 1, with the mission scheduled to run through July 31. The contingent includes four F-16AM fighters and approximately 95 personnel stationed at Ämari Air Base as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission for 2026.
During their deployment, Portuguese forces remain on high alert to conduct air policing missions aimed at protecting the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Yesterday @fap_pt 🇵🇹 F-16s scrambled to identify a 🇷🇺 Ilyushin Il-76 Candid flying close to NATO airspace.
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) April 7, 2026
This marked the first Alpha Scramble for the 🇵🇹 detachment since taking over the NATO enhanced Air Policing mission at Ämari Air Base in 🇪🇪 from @ItalianAirForce 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/C0xTSrZ8e7
In addition to operational duties, the F-16s and their crews will participate in joint exercises and training with allied air, land, and naval forces in the region to improve interoperability and strengthen cooperation among NATO members.
“This is the ninth time Portugal has participated in deployments of this kind in the Baltic countries, and the second time it has operated from Ämari Air Base,” the Portuguese Air Force said.
The deployed detachment includes multidisciplinary personnel responsible for maintaining F-16 operations, as well as ensuring the protection of infrastructure and deployed forces. It also integrates with regional command and control centers, allowing full participation in NATO’s air surveillance network.
Starting today through July 31, the Portuguese AF 🇵🇹 ensures Baltic airspace policing, deploying 4 @LockheedMartin F-16Ms & 95 personnel to Ämari, Estonia 🇪🇪 for the @NATO_AIRCOM #eAP26 mission
— Paulo Mata (@ironbirdphotos) April 1, 2026
📷 @fap_pt pic.twitter.com/CsPQRB2ZwD
The Portuguese F-16s replaced Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, which had maintained a high operational tempo during their previous rotation in Estonia.
Earlier, a Russian Su-30 multirole fighter jet briefly entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland on March 18, marking the first such incident in 2026.
Estonian military officials reported that the jet had no filed flight plan and did not maintain radio communication with Estonian air traffic control.
Italian Air Force fighters deployed to Ämari Air Base as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled in response to the incident to identify the aircraft.
