France also spies on Russia: an ALSR of the Air and Space Army around Kaliningrad
In the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia faces international condemnation and sanctions for its aggression, France has quietly deployed a strategic intelligence aircraft in Estonia to spy on the Russian military activities in the Baltic region. The aircraft, known as an ALSR (Avion Léger de Surveillance et de Reconnaissance), has been conducting reconnaissance and intelligence collection missions around the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, where sensitive and strategic military facilities are located.
What is an ALSR?
An ALSR is a modified Falcon 50 business jet equipped with various sensors and systems for electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and imagery intelligence. The aircraft can intercept and analyze communications, radar emissions, and other electronic signals, as well as take high-resolution photos and videos of the ground targets. The ALSR is operated by the 54th Intelligence Squadron of the Air and Space Army, based in Evreux, France. The squadron has four ALSRs in its inventory, and each aircraft can carry up to six crew members, including pilots, intelligence officers, and technicians.
Why is France spying on Russia?
France is not the only country that is spying on Russia. It is usual to see many electromagnetic reconnaissance aircraft from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and other NATO countries flying over the eastern border of NATO, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on January 24, 2022. These aircraft aim to monitor and analyze the Russian military activities and capabilities in the region, as well as to deter and defend against potential Russian aggression.
One of the main areas of interest for these reconnaissance missions is the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which is located between Poland and Lithuania, and is separated from the rest of Russia by NATO territory. Kaliningrad is home to several important and sensitive military facilities, such as anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles, nuclear-capable bombers, and submarines. Kaliningrad also hosts the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet, one of the four fleets of the Russian Navy.
According to the French magazine Air&Cosmos, which first reported the deployment of the ALSR in Estonia, the French aircraft has already performed missions over the troops of Saint Petersburg, along the Estonian border, and over the strategic exclave of Kaliningrad. The magazine suggests that the ALSR’s missions aim to collect valuable information on the Russian military posture and readiness, as well as to demonstrate the French presence and solidarity with its NATO allies in the Baltic states.
How is France contributing to NATO in the Baltic region?
The ALSR is part of the French contribution to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in the Baltic states, which consists of deploying troops and assets to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to deter and defend against potential Russian aggression. The eFP was established in 2016, following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, and is led by four framework nations: Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
In addition to the ALSR, France has also deployed four Mirage 2000–5 fighters and 100 soldiers to the Ämari air base in Estonia as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission, which is a NATO collective defense measure to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic states. The French fighters are responsible for conducting air patrols and intercepting any unauthorized or unidentified aircraft that approach or violate the Baltic airspace. The French deployment is expected to last until the end of April 2024.
France is one of the leading European countries in terms of defense spending and military capabilities, and has been actively involved in several NATO operations and missions, such as in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, and Syria. France is also one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and one of the nine nuclear-weapon states in the world. By spying on Russia, France is not only gathering valuable intelligence, but also showing its commitment and leadership in the defense of Europe and the transatlantic alliance.
