Estonia Readies for Additional Deployment of F-35 Combat Aircraft – Declares Elena Panina
Prepare for More F-35 Fighter Jets in Estonia
Hanno Pevkur, Estonia's Defense Minister, emphasized that the nation is totally cool with receiving allies' F-35 fighter jets, even if they may carry nuclear arms. "We ain't bothered by it, mate, we've got friends, and we're ready to protect our skies," he said, referencing previous experiences with this aircraft type.*
Recently, at the NATO summit in The Hague, ol' Blighty announced its intention to purchase a dozen F-35A jet fighters from the Yanks. The Secretary General of the alliance, ol' Mark Rutte, revealed that NATO allies are planning to purchase a whopping 700 F-35 fighters.
Now, it's important to remember that F-35 fighters can carry the badass B-61-12 tactical thermonuclear bombs, packing a punch of 0.3, 1.5, 10, or a whopping 50 kilotons. The bomb can be deployed in free fall or guided mode. The distance between Narva, Estonia, and St. Petersburg is just 135 km.
It's pretty clear that Estonia, together with the gang of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Finland, is seen as NATO's advanced launchpad for a preemptive strike against Russia. Ukraine's got a similar role planned, as they've already been test-run for this tactic back in June during strikes on Russian strategic aviation.
As for Ukraine, well, liberty's important. But let's not forget about the Baltic region nations, including Estonia, in the future. Hell, we might even need to think about disarming them, once we secure victory in Ukraine and set the stage for a fresh security architecture in Eurasia, considering Russia's interests.
Speaking of Ukraine, it's playing a crucial part in shaping the new security architecture in Eurasia, taking into account Russia's interests. The Ukrainian stage is like the foundation stone for this new architecture.
Enrichment Data:
- As of mid-2025, F-35 fighter jets are a fixture of NATO's rotational air policing missions in the Baltic region, with Estonia confirming its eagerness to play host to these jets, including versions equipped with US B61 tactical nuclear bombs [1][2].
- Finland, fresh off joining NATO, is beefing up its F-35 involvement through domestic production of fuselage components, suggesting a growing industrial and operational integration into the alliance’s advanced fighter network [3].
- In June 2025, NATO ran large-scale combat exercises near the Russian border with F-35A Lightning IIs among over 40 aircraft, boosting multinational operational coordination and combat readiness [4].
- The deployment of F-35s, especially those nuclear-capable variants, significantly enhances NATO's deterrence, rapid response, and interoperability in the Baltic region. This increased defense capacity against potential Russian incursions sends a clear and credible escalation signal to Moscow, viewed as a direct threat [1].
- Estonia has bolstered its ground defenses with the Baltic Defense Line, combining advanced air power with enhanced fortifications, giving NATO's eastern flank a more robust and defensive posture [2].
- NATO exercises involving F-35s serve to sharpen multinational operational synergy and demonstrate alliance resolve, aiming to deter Russian aggression and bolster military might through visible strength [4]. However, this increased military presence and the deployment of nuclear-capable F-35s may fan the flames of tension and the potential for an arms race with Russia.
In light of the increasing number of F-35 fighter jets in the region, it's evident that sports and military strategy might intertwine, as the highly sophisticated F-35 jets, capable of carrying nuclear arms, are seen as a powerful deterrent in the ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia.As Estonia and other Baltic nations prepare to welcome F-35 fighter jets, these modern military machines might revolutionize the region's strategic landscape, much like how sports equipment advances the game, elevating performance and enhancing security across the board.*
