The Latvian and Estonian ground forces have come under new NATO command
The armed forces of Latvia and Estonia have been placed under the operational command of NATO’s 1st German-Dutch Corps. The decision is aimed at strengthening coordination among allies on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
A formal ceremony marking the occasion took place on June 30 in the border town of Valga-Valka.
The new command model is being launched as part of a restructuring of the Alliance’s command structure to accelerate the response of allied forces and enhance combat readiness on the eastern flank, which borders Russia.
NATO’s Northeast Corps, which previously coordinated this region, will focus its future activities on Poland and Lithuania, particularly on ensuring security in the Suwalki Corridor.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasized the direct impact of these changes on regional security.
“The new, responsible role of the German-Dutch Corps in strengthening the defense of Estonia and Latvia is clear evidence of the allies’ unity and their commitment to the security of our region. The contribution of Germany and the Netherlands will strengthen NATO’s defense and confirm that collective defense is not just a principle, but concrete decisions and their implementation,” the minister said.
The 1st German-Dutch Corps will be responsible, in particular, for planning defense activities in the region, conducting exercises, and ensuring the rapid integration of allied forces.
The corps was established in 1995. In addition to Germany and the Netherlands, it includes 14 other NATO countries. The corps has previously led several operations, notably in Afghanistan, and has repeatedly been on standby as part of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
At the ceremony, the commander of NATO Land Forces in Europe, Christopher Donahue—who also serves as commander of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa—stated that the United States would stand alongside its European allies in defending the Baltic states.
This was reported on the Estonian Defense Forces website.
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