On August 19, 2025, NATO showcased its commitment to Baltic security and airpower integration in a striking aerial event. Hungarian and Swedish JAS-39 Gripens joined two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers for a flyover above Riga, Latvia. Passing low over the Freedom Monument, the formation underscored not only military interoperability but also the political weight of unity along NATO’s eastern flank.
At the heart of the display was the B-1B Lancer, a supersonic long-range bomber originally built during the Cold War to penetrate Soviet air defenses. Continuously upgraded, the Lancer remains a key component of U.S. strategic deterrence, capable of delivering precision strikes across continents with a wide range of conventional munitions. Unlike the stealth-oriented B-2 Spirit or the forthcoming B-21 Raider, the B-1B offers exceptional payload capacity and rapid deployment flexibility, making it indispensable to Bomber Task Force missions.
Flying alongside were Saab-built JAS-39 Gripens, operated by both Sweden and Hungary. Conceived in the late 1970s to provide Sweden with a cost-effective multirole fighter, the Gripen program has since evolved into one of Europe’s most adaptable platforms. Featuring advanced avionics, electronic warfare suites, and rapid turnaround capability, the Gripen is particularly suited for smaller air forces such as Hungary’s, where affordability and versatility are essential.
Strategically, the flypast carried implications well beyond ceremony. Latvia’s position at NATO’s eastern front, directly bordering Russia, gives it outsized importance in Euro-Atlantic defense. By pairing U.S. strategic bombers with European fighters, NATO demonstrated a scalable posture capable of deterring threats ranging from conventional incursions to hybrid tactics. For the Baltic States, the message was clear: Allied commitments under Article 5 remain credible and enforceable.
In essence, the flyover was not merely an air show but a calculated act of deterrence and solidarity. NATO once again signaled that the defense of the Baltic region is backed not only by advanced technology but also by unwavering political will and allied cohesion.
