Denmark reinforces NATO air defense with F-35 alert at Skrydstrup

Two Royal Danish Air Force F-35A fighters have been put on standby at Skrydstrup Air Base, with pilots and crews ready to launch in support of Poland and other allies under NATO’s Enhanced Vigilance Activity Eastern Sentry. 

“The F-35’s sensors and adaptability make them ideally suited for the mission,” said Major General Jan Dam, Chief of the Danish Air Force. 

In parallel, the Royal Danish Navy has sent the frigate Niels Juel to patrol the Baltic. Equipped with long-range radars and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, the vessel will enhance NATO’s maritime surveillance capabilities and integrate into the broader allied air and sea picture, while remaining under Danish command.

Together, the Niels Juel will extend radar coverage over the Baltic approaches, while the fighters enhance readiness for Quick Reaction Alerts (QRA). 

Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressed the importance of allied solidarity, saying that “violations of NATO airspace are entirely unacceptable, and our commitment demonstrates that the alliance stands together”. 

The deployment also follows recent incidents in Denmark itself. In late September 2025, unidentified drones were reported flying over Skrydstrup, the main base for Denmark’s F-35 fleet. 

In recent weeks, drone sightings have also been reported near airports and bases in Norway, Germany and Belgium, raising fears of probing operations against NATO infrastructure. These incidents highlight the growing use of drones as tools of hybrid pressure, complicating air defense missions and stretching resources across the alliance. 

What is NATO’s Eastern Sentry? 

NATO launched Eastern Sentry on September 12, 2025, two days after Polish authorities reported that 21 drones crossed into their territory, mainly from Belarus. Several were shot down by NATO aircraft, including Dutch fighters, in what officials described as a direct test of allied air defenses. 

Denmark’s contribution plugs into a wider multinational effort. France deployed three Rafale fighters to Malbork Air Base in Poland from mid-September, providing additional coverage near the Belarusian border, while Germany and the United Kingdom have reinforced Baltic Air Policing with Eurofighter Typhoons. 

Other allies, including Spain, Hungary and the Netherlands, have also taken part in Eastern Sentry rotations. The United States continues to maintain fighter detachments in Poland and Romania, ensuring overlapping layers of allied air policing. 

The duration of Denmark’s deployment will be assessed in consultation with NATO. Allied officials claim that Eastern Sentry is designed to remain flexible, adapting to the evolving security environment. The post Denmark reinforces NATO air defense with F-35 alert at Skrydstrup appeared first on AeroTime.

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