NATO AWACS surveillance flights will contribute to the protection of the European Political Community Summit in Moldova. Flying over Allied airspace, NATO AWACS will guard the skies over the Summit venue from 31 May to 2 June, NATO noted in a press release.

“NATO AWACS can detect aircraft, missiles and drones hundreds of kilometres away, making them an important early warning capability”, said NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu, adding that “Moldova is a close and long-standing partner to NATO.”

NATO AWACS also routinely patrol the skies during major international events, including NATO Summits, most recently in Madrid last June, and other high-profile events, such as international football tournaments or the Olympics.