Lithuania Hosts Turkish Peace Eagle Surveillance Plane as NATO Counters Russia’s Moves
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Türkiye has deployed an E-7T “Peace Eagle” AWACS aircraft to Lithuania in response to repeated Russian airspace incursions over NATO’s eastern flank.
On September 25, 2025, Türkiye temporarily deployed one of its E-7T “Peace Eagle” Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Lithuania, as reported by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Vilnius. The move follows repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones and fighter jets over the past weeks, prompting the alliance to strengthen its defensive posture along its eastern flank. The presence of the Turkish aircraft at Šiauliai Air Base underscores NATO’s collective response to rising aerial threats in the Baltic region.
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By enhancing NATO’s early warning and response capabilities, the E-7T Peace Eagle embodies the alliance’s determination to counter evolving threats in Eastern Europe, while reaffirming Türkiye’s role as a key contributor to regional stability (Picture source: NATO)
The E-7T AWACS represents a critical asset in modern air defense, providing 360-degree radar coverage and long-range detection capabilities that extend far beyond the reach of traditional ground-based radar. Its advanced sensors are particularly effective in tracking low-flying drones, which have increasingly been used by Russia to test NATO’s air defenses. Integrated within NATO’s command-and-control architecture, the aircraft ensures real-time surveillance, early warning, and coordination of defensive measures across the Baltic skies. Turkish officials emphasized that its mission between September 22–25 enhances rapid reaction capacity for NATO forces operating in the region.
The deployment carries significant strategic weight. By stationing the E-7T in Lithuania, Türkiye not only strengthens NATO’s situational awareness but also reinforces allied deterrence against Russia’s aerial provocations. This mirrors earlier Cold War precedents, when AWACS platforms were first introduced to secure European airspace against Soviet incursions, providing early warning and air command capabilities that shaped NATO’s defensive posture. Today, the Turkish E-7T fulfills a similar role in a new strategic environment defined by drone warfare and hybrid threats.
For Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, and Poland, countries that have all reported airspace intrusions by Russia in recent weeks, the Turkish contribution symbolizes both solidarity and practical reinforcement of regional defense. NATO officials have highlighted the importance of such deployments in demonstrating allied unity and readiness, while defense experts underline how constant monitoring provided by AWACS aircraft could help preempt further violations and limit escalation.
Beyond the immediate Baltic deployment, Türkiye’s decision to send its E-7T underscores the growing role of its airborne surveillance fleet within NATO. Unlike older AWACS models, the Turkish Peace Eagle is based on a modern Boeing 737 platform, offering extended endurance, digital systems, and advanced radar performance. With the ability to detect both conventional aircraft and emerging unmanned threats, it reflects Türkiye’s technological investment in high-value airborne assets. It has to be noted that this operation provides Ankara with an opportunity to showcase its capability to project air surveillance power beyond its borders, strengthening its position within NATO’s integrated defense structure. At the same time, it signals Türkiye’s willingness to balance its regional security concerns in the Middle East with active contributions to Euro-Atlantic defense, thereby reinforcing its image as a pivotal ally in both southern and northern strategic theaters.
Türkiye’s decision to contribute one of its most advanced airborne surveillance assets highlights its commitment to NATO collective defense and to safeguarding Baltic security. By enhancing NATO’s early warning and response capabilities, the E-7T Peace Eagle embodies the alliance’s determination to counter evolving threats in Eastern Europe, while reaffirming Türkiye’s role as a key contributor to regional stability.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
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Türkiye has deployed an E-7T “Peace Eagle” AWACS aircraft to Lithuania in response to repeated Russian airspace incursions over NATO’s eastern flank.
On September 25, 2025, Türkiye temporarily deployed one of its E-7T “Peace Eagle” Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Lithuania, as reported by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Vilnius. The move follows repeated violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones and fighter jets over the past weeks, prompting the alliance to strengthen its defensive posture along its eastern flank. The presence of the Turkish aircraft at Šiauliai Air Base underscores NATO’s collective response to rising aerial threats in the Baltic region.
By enhancing NATO’s early warning and response capabilities, the E-7T Peace Eagle embodies the alliance’s determination to counter evolving threats in Eastern Europe, while reaffirming Türkiye’s role as a key contributor to regional stability (Picture source: NATO)
The E-7T AWACS represents a critical asset in modern air defense, providing 360-degree radar coverage and long-range detection capabilities that extend far beyond the reach of traditional ground-based radar. Its advanced sensors are particularly effective in tracking low-flying drones, which have increasingly been used by Russia to test NATO’s air defenses. Integrated within NATO’s command-and-control architecture, the aircraft ensures real-time surveillance, early warning, and coordination of defensive measures across the Baltic skies. Turkish officials emphasized that its mission between September 22–25 enhances rapid reaction capacity for NATO forces operating in the region.
The deployment carries significant strategic weight. By stationing the E-7T in Lithuania, Türkiye not only strengthens NATO’s situational awareness but also reinforces allied deterrence against Russia’s aerial provocations. This mirrors earlier Cold War precedents, when AWACS platforms were first introduced to secure European airspace against Soviet incursions, providing early warning and air command capabilities that shaped NATO’s defensive posture. Today, the Turkish E-7T fulfills a similar role in a new strategic environment defined by drone warfare and hybrid threats.
For Lithuania, Estonia, Denmark, and Poland, countries that have all reported airspace intrusions by Russia in recent weeks, the Turkish contribution symbolizes both solidarity and practical reinforcement of regional defense. NATO officials have highlighted the importance of such deployments in demonstrating allied unity and readiness, while defense experts underline how constant monitoring provided by AWACS aircraft could help preempt further violations and limit escalation.
Beyond the immediate Baltic deployment, Türkiye’s decision to send its E-7T underscores the growing role of its airborne surveillance fleet within NATO. Unlike older AWACS models, the Turkish Peace Eagle is based on a modern Boeing 737 platform, offering extended endurance, digital systems, and advanced radar performance. With the ability to detect both conventional aircraft and emerging unmanned threats, it reflects Türkiye’s technological investment in high-value airborne assets. It has to be noted that this operation provides Ankara with an opportunity to showcase its capability to project air surveillance power beyond its borders, strengthening its position within NATO’s integrated defense structure. At the same time, it signals Türkiye’s willingness to balance its regional security concerns in the Middle East with active contributions to Euro-Atlantic defense, thereby reinforcing its image as a pivotal ally in both southern and northern strategic theaters.
Türkiye’s decision to contribute one of its most advanced airborne surveillance assets highlights its commitment to NATO collective defense and to safeguarding Baltic security. By enhancing NATO’s early warning and response capabilities, the E-7T Peace Eagle embodies the alliance’s determination to counter evolving threats in Eastern Europe, while reaffirming Türkiye’s role as a key contributor to regional stability.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
