The United States intends to redeploy about 800 troops from Italy to the Baltic. In addition, up to eight F-35 aircraft and other equipment will be sent to the region, Reuters reports, citing a Pentagon source.
“The U.S. authorities will also send 32 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. These additional forces are redirected for the peace of mind of our NATO allies, deterring any potential aggression against the participating states”, the agency source said.
Recall that in 2017, the battalions of the North Atlantic Alliance were deployed in the three Baltic countries and Poland “to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO.” For example, 1,200 servicemen from several NATO countries were part of the battalion on the territory of Lithuania all this time.
As previously reported, Lithuania and Poland called for strengthening the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance “in the new geopolitical conditions that have developed against the backdrop of the Ukrainian crisis and the presence of Russian troops on the territory of Belarus.”