NATO is redeploying to Romania some of its surveillance planes, which are currently stationed in Germany, to be closer to the war started by Russia in Ukraine.  

As reported in the NATO press service, they should arrive in Bucharest next Tuesday, January 17.

The mission of the AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) surveillance aircraft will be, as the message states, "to support the strengthening of the Alliance's presence in the region and to monitor Russian military activity." 

According to the Romanian publication digi24, the planes will be relocated from the base near Aachen in western Germany to the Romanian Air Force base in Otopeni near Bucharest, about 200 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.

They will stay in Romania for several weeks.

Also, 180 soldiers will be sent to the Otopeni base. 

NATO did not specify exactly how many of the 14 surveillance aircraft stationed in Germany will be sent to Romania.

According to military sources, three aircraft will be deployed.

Thanks to their radar system, AWACS aircraft can locate and identify other aircraft at a distance of more than 400 kilometers.

They can transmit information to all other aircraft in the airspace that are properly equipped, meaning they can theoretically be used as flying command posts. 

Previously, they were used during operations against the terrorist group "Islamic State" and in Afghanistan.

"As Russia's illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and security in Europe, there should be no doubt about NATO's determination to defend every inch of allied territory," NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said. 

We will remind, earlier NATO placed two anti-aircraft and anti-missile surveillance radars on the territory of Romania.

The need for these means arose due to the strengthening of Russian missile attacks against Ukraine.

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