
On the night of January 15-16, 2025, the French Navy’s Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was radar-locked by the Russian S-400 air defense system during an operation in the Baltic Sea as part of NATO missions. This incident was described by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu as “aggressive behavior that violates international norms.” In a post he shared on the X platform, Lecornu stated that he condemned Russia’s action.
The Baltic Sea and Its Strategic Importance
The Baltic Sea is a region where strategic interests between Russia and the West often clash. NATO’s patrol operations in the region aim to ensure maritime security and protect infrastructure. Recently, suspicions of sabotage of submarine telecommunications and power lines have further intensified NATO’s activities in the region. France’s Atlantique 2 aircraft examined over 200 ships in the Baltic territorial waters as part of these operations and detected no suspicious activity. However, it is believed that the radar used to target the aircraft came from S-400 batteries located in the Kaliningrad region of Russia.
Kaliningrad and S-400 Systems
The Kaliningrad region of Russia, located between Poland and Lithuania, plays an important role in Russia’s air defense strategy. The S-400 air defense systems were first deployed in the region in 2012. In 2019, additional batteries were deployed at the Gvardeysk Military Base. The S-400 system aims to strengthen the Baltic Fleet’s air defenses and increase deterrence against NATO forces. These systems are equipped with radars capable of detecting threats at long range and high altitudes. Prominent radars include the 92N6 Grave Stone, 96L6 Cheese Board and 91N6E Big Bird. These radars can track threats at various altitudes and the system is equipped with missiles capable of reaching hypersonic speeds.
Atlantique 2 and Mission Capabilities
The French Atlantique 2 aircraft was designed by Bréguet and Dassault Aviation and developed for anti-submarine warfare and surveillance missions. The aircraft can perform patrol missions in strategic areas with a flight endurance of 14 hours and a range of 4.300 nautical miles. It is also equipped with advanced sensors such as a 360-degree radar and a magnetic anomaly detector. This aircraft has the capacity to fulfill critical missions for modern maritime security.
Radar Lock: Warning or Show of Force?
The radar lock engagement on Atlantique 2 could be considered a warning or a show of force. The fact that the incident occurred in the Baltic Sea, where NATO and Russian forces frequently come face to face, has once again highlighted the potential risks of tension in the region. NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher Cavoli stated that such incidents are serious but are not limited to the European region. Such actions can affect not only regional security but also global security dynamics. In this period when NATO is experiencing increasing tensions with Russia, both sides seem to be sending signals against each other.
The Russian S-400 system's radar lock on the French Atlantique 2 aircraft shows how sensitive and dangerous the geopolitical tensions in the Baltic Sea are. Such interactions between NATO and Russia have the potential to threaten regional security. This incident also marks a period when NATO and Russia are sending strong signals to each other and strategic calculations are being made in the sea and airspace.