NATO strengthens Baltic security: German-Netherlands Corps to take command on eastern flank

By mid-year, the 1 German-Netherlands Corps (1GNC) will take on the role of a tactical headquarters within NATO defense plans, taking over command role on the alliance's eastern flank in the Latvian and Estonian region. With this decision, NATO will deploy an additional tactical headquarters in the region, strengthening the alliance's unity, presence, and deterrence capabilities against russia.

NATO plans to officially confirm the new role of the German-Netherlands Corps as early as this summer. After taking over authority, the corps will then assume command & control of NATO and national defence land units stationed in Latvia and Estonia. This will include directing military exercises and other preparatory activities as well as coordinating the defence of NATO's eastern flank if necessary. Until now, these functions were performed by the Multinational Corps North East (MNC NE).

The changes are part of the NATO command structure reform introduced after the 2023 Vilnius Summit with the aim to be able to activate more units with shorter reaction times. Responding to NATO's call, Germany and the Netherlands offered their joint corps as a tactical headquarters for the defense plans of the Baltic region. In a short period of time, the German-Netherlands Corps has established close and professional cooperation with the National Armed Forces, demonstrating the ability to effectively coordinate joint tasks to strengthen regional security.

The defense ministers of Germany and the Netherlands emphasize that this integration is a striking example of multinational cooperation. On a daily basis, personnel from sixteen countries work and serve shoulder to shoulder in the corps, demonstrating high interoperability and solidarity in strengthening European security.

The German-Netherlands Corps is a headquarters that, in peacetime, crisis and conflict, can command an international force of approximately fifty thousand personnel. In the past German-Netherlands Corps has already led several crisis management and peace support operations – it has previously led International Security Assistance Force operations in Afghanistan, as well as repeatedly stood on standby for the NATO Response Force. The corps was established in 1995, and Germany and the Netherlands provide its leadership on a rotational basis. Currently and up to early 2028, command rests with Germany.

Information prepared by:
MoD Military Public Affairs Department 
Media Relations Section
Phone: 67335129
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv