Spain awaits a siren that sounded 500 times in 2025 against Russia. Its pilots have 15 minutes to launch their fighters

European nations are intensifying their vigilance over airspace near Russia, highlighting a renewed focus on territorial defense and rapid response capabilities. Spain, through its participation in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, exemplifies this heightened state of readiness. This deployment underscores a proactive approach to maintaining regional stability amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. Pilots stationed at Šiauliai, Lithuania, operate under a constant state of alert, with a stringent fifteen-minute window to launch fighter jets. In 2025 alone, alarms sounded approximately 500 times, necessitating swift action to identify and escort unidentified aircraft. This operational tempo demonstrates the critical need for highly trained personnel and advanced aviation assets in border surveillance. The mission's primary objective is to intercept and monitor aircraft that may pose a security risk, ensuring clear intentions or their departure from allied airspace. This continuous surveillance is crucial for preventing potential incidents and maintaining the integrity of European skies. The efficiency of these rapid response operations reflects a commitment to collective security and the safeguarding of NATO's eastern flank.