A French Rafale destroyed a drone over Latvia during an operational mission in what was the first use of the MICA missile by the French Air and Space Force in the Baltic region, according to Allied Air Command. The engagement was disclosed as France concluded its NATO Baltic Air Policing deployment at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, after two consecutive rotations. A French detachment spokesperson, whose name was withheld at the discretion of France, said: “This mission has been a milestone for the BAP Block 71 detachment. Operationally, the MICA missile is deployed by the French Air and Space Force all over the world but using it here for the first time in the Baltic states, to destroy a drone over Latvia, was a real tactical success for NATO, France and the Baltic states.” The French detachment hands over to the Italian Air Force, which will operate from Šiauliai with four Eurofighter Typhoons and more than 100 personnel.