International military exercise “BALTOPS 25” starts in Latvia
From June 5 to 20, the Baltic Sea region will host the large-scale annual international military exercise “BALTOPS 25” (Baltic Operations 2025). This exercise provides a valuable opportunity for allied forces to train jointly, enhance interoperability, and demonstrate collective readiness to defend NATO member states and maintain freedom of navigation.
The objective of the exercise is to promote cooperation and interoperability, strengthen the ability to respond rapidly using the capabilities of all branches of the armed forces, and demonstrate NATO’s commitment in order to ensure regional stability and readiness to defend the Baltic Sea region.
The “BALTOPS 25” exercise involves 16 NATO member states, more than 40 ships, 25 aircraft, and approximately 9,000 participants.
As part of the “BALTOPS 25” exercise, various tactical operations will be conducted at multiple locations across the country, involving allied naval vessels, aircraft, and land-based military equipment.
The exercise in Latvia involves soldiers and National Guard members from the National Guard’s 4th Kurzeme Brigade, the Naval Forces, the Air Force, the Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the Training and Doctrine Command as well as units from the armed forces of the United States, Portugal, and Italy.
This year, as part of the “BALTOPS 25” exercise, allied forces will train together by conducting unmanned systems training, medical evacuation, air defence, maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, combat engineers and amphibious operations. These areas reflect the broad range of NATO’s collective capabilities and the emphasis on modern technologies and multidomain interoperability.
Participating nations include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“BALTOPS” is an annual exercise led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet and command-and-controlled by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. Held in the Baltic Sea, the exercise provides an opportunity for NATO and regional partners to enhance interoperability by training together in joint tactical manoeuvres across a variety of operational scenarios. Latvia has been participating in the “BALTOPS” exercises since 1996.
Information prepared by:
Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces
Information Analysis and Management Department
Communication Division
E-mail: prese@mil.lv
Telephone: 67071032