NATO Enhances Military Presence in the Baltic Region: Formation of Alliance Corps in Estonia and Strengthening the Eastern Front
Amid growing tensions in the Baltic Sea region and threats from Russia, NATO is planning to significantly increase its military presence in member countries of this area.
One of the key measures is the establishment of a new NATO corps in Estonia, which is expected to be launched by the end of this year.
This move aims to bolster the country’s defense capabilities and enable quicker responses to potential aggressive actions.
According to the Estonian Ministry of Defense, the corps may include troops from Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Estonian armed forces, including conscripts.
The location for the corps’ deployment could be Pärnu — a strategically advantageous city on the western border, close to ports, railways, an airfield, major roads, and neighboring Latvia.
The planned infrastructure for the unit is estimated at around 17 million euros, with a personnel strength of approximately 200 soldiers.
Meanwhile, Germany is reinforcing its eastern flank by deploying a full combat brigade in Lithuania, consisting of up to 5,000 soldiers, with completion scheduled by the end of 2027.
The brigade’s base will be situated in Rūdninkai, about 30 kilometers from Vilnius, covering roughly 170 hectares.
Currently, German troops are temporarily stationed elsewhere in Lithuania, with around 150 personnel present.
Simultaneously, NATO and the USA are developing new mechanisms to supply military aid to Ukraine, aiming to strengthen the country's defense capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.