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ConflictFrench MoD: Light Infantry Company completes 4-month Estonia deployment with 40+ partnership actions
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The French Ministry of Defense released an operational update covering the period from June 25 to July 2, 2026, focusing on the Eastern Flank of the NATO alliance. In Estonia, a French Light Infantry Company (LIC) completed a four-month deployment, conducting over 40 partnership actions with the Estonian Defense League. Nearly 3,000 Estonian personnel and volunteers benefited from training and expertise sharing, enhancing Franco-Estonian interoperability. In Lithuania, French Rafale aircraft continued NATO air policing duties. On June 27, two Rafales from Šiauliai Air Base scrambled to intercept two Russian Su-30 fighters operating near Baltic airspace without a flight plan or radio contact. The interception identified the aircraft and ensured allied airspace sovereignty.
Source report
Source: French Ministry of Defense (defense.gouv.fr) Category: Operations
Europe
Eastern Flank of the Alliance: Permanent Operational Posture
Estonia
The Light Infantry Company (LIC) has completed its four-month deployment focused on strengthening Franco-Estonian cooperation. During this mission, the unit conducted over 40 partnership actions with the Estonian Defense League, providing training and instruction to local units and sharing specialized expertise.
Nearly 3,000 Estonian military personnel and volunteers benefited from these activities, enhancing interoperability between French and Estonian forces.
Lithuania
French Air and Space Force Rafale aircraft continue to participate in the NATO air policing mission. On June 27, two aircraft deployed to Šiauliai Air Base took off on alert to intercept two Russian Su-30 fighters operating near the airspace of the Baltic states. The Russian aircraft had not filed a flight plan and were not in radio contact.
The intervention allowed French forces to identify the aircraft and guarantee sovereignty over allied airspace.
Source
Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattantsWestern
Part of this Story
French Forces Intercept Russian Jets, Train in NATO Eastern Flank Operations