Siauliai – Undersecretary of Defense Isabella Rauti visited the Siauliai base in Lithuania and met with the Italian contingent deployed in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. Led by the Italian Air Force, the mission operates with Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, contributing to the surveillance and integrity of Baltic airspace while strengthening the alliance’s defense and deterrence posture.

"Italy fully supports the objectives of the Baltic Air Policing mission," Rauti emphasized, "and we are proud to be its largest contributing nation." She thanked the personnel stationed in this strategic area, describing NATO’s eastern flank as a forward outpost for European stability, which in turn impacts global security.

The Task Force Air is engaged in joint and multinational training activities. As part of the exercise program, an Italian Army SAMP-T air defense system has been deployed. "The deployment of this highly strategic asset confirms the strong cooperation between Italy and Lithuania," Rauti stated, "as well as our shared understanding that the Baltic Republic is a key geopolitical area and a pivotal observation point in the Eastern European theater."