BALTOPS 23 international military exercise in the Baltic Sea

From 4 to 16 June, the Baltic Sea Region will host the large-scale annual international military exercise BALTOPS 23. 

BALTOPS 23 is one of the largest exercises in the Northern European region and this year aims to further develop cooperation and operational interoperability between units of different force types and weapon classes not only within NATO but also with the Alliance's partner countries. During the joint exercises, participants will demonstrate their readiness to provide collective defence in the Baltic region, thereby strengthening regional security and contributing to deterrence. 

The exercise will involve 19 NATO Member States and one partner country, 50 ships, more than 45 aircraft and 6,000 soldiers. 

The participating countries are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the partner country Sweden. 

The National Armed Forces will be represented by the Air Force, the Navy, including the Diving Team and the A-53 Virsaitis, the Land Forces Mechanised Infantry Brigade and the Home Guard.

As part of the BALTOPS 23 exercise, starting from 5 June, various tactical operations involving ships, aircraft and armoured vehicles of allied countries, including the landing of a sea landing craft, will be trained in the territorial waters of Latvia and the area of responsibility of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the Home Guard, including the Kurzeme coastline.

During the active phase of the land operation, a seaborne landing operation from the British landing assault ship HMS Albion and the Italian amphibious assault ship San Marco will take place on 6 June in the municipality of Vārve, Ventspils County. In the Baltic Sea, a live-fire exercise and manoeuvres by the US Marines will take place at the Skede military training area on 6 June.

The first international exercise "BALTOPS" was held in the Baltic Sea in 1971. This year, for the 52nd time, the Member States of the exercise will continue to train together and improve the conduct of defence operations in the Baltic region. Latvia started its participation in the BALTOPS exercise in 1996.