Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jets deployed to Ämari Air Base in Estonia scrambled early on September 1, 2026, after unidentified drones crossed into Estonian airspace, according to statements from the Estonian Defense Forces. The Estonian authorities initiated air threat warnings across multiple regions, with nationwide threat alerts officially lifted before 06:00 local time.
The Estonian Defense Forces transmitted an EE-ALARM cell broadcast notification to residents in Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru counties at 03:11, advising individuals to seek shelter upon sighting any drone. The public warning area was subsequently expanded at 03:48 to encompass Tartu, Jõgeva, Viljandi, Valga, Võru, and Põlva counties. Data recorded on the government crisis website kriis.ee confirmed that the nationwide warning concluded at 05:30.
Colonel Uku Arold, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Strategic Communications Department, stated to public broadcaster ERR that the drones had operated parallel to the eastern borders of Estonia and Latvia prior to entering Estonian airspace. Military authorities have not confirmed whether any drone was intercepted or where the unmanned aircraft ultimately moved. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated on X that NATO allied forces responded swiftly and as planned.
The interception launch marks the first scramble executed under NATO's Baltic air defense mission from Ämari. The Turkish deployment features five F-16 fighters and 76 personnel from the 181st Squadron based in Diyarbakır, with the rotation scheduled to continue through November 30, 2026. Simultaneously, Latvia's National Armed Forces issued an orange alert in Alūksne district while allied jets responded, and the Finnish Defense Forces established temporary airspace and maritime restrictions over the eastern Gulf of Finland.
