On October 11 Vice Minister of National Defence Žilvinas Tomkus discussed topical defence policy aspects and resilience to hybrid threats with a visiting Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) delegation. BALTDEFCOL students visit Lithuania annually to familiarize with state institutions, political and strategic situation in the region as part of their studies programme.
The delegation is also planned to visit the Lithuanian Armed Forces Defence Staff, NATO Force Integration Unit Vilnius, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Rukla. The guests will familiarize with the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf, its equipment and weaponry, and visit the Lithuanian Air Force Base that hosts the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, also, meet with several members of the Lithuanian Parliament.
About the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL)
The Baltic Defence College is a joint Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian education institution for operational and strategic level officers and civilian personnel studies based in Tartu, Estonia. It is recognised in many NATO countries, which is reflected by officers from other countries studying at the BALTDEFCOL along with Baltic students. Also, Lithuania finances studies of Georgian, Ukrainian and Moldovan students at the BALTDEFCOL.
The current Commandant of the Baltic Defence College since June 2020 is Brig Gen Ilmar Tamm of the Estonian Defence Forces, he was preceded in the four-year term by Maj Gen Andis Dilans of the Latvian Armed Forces who took over from Maj Gen Vitalijus Vaikšnoras of the Lithuanian Armed Forces who served from December 2012 to June 2016. In 2004-2007 the College was headed by Brig Gen Algis Vaičeliūnas of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The BALTDEFCOL Commandants are assigned on a rotational basis by the three Baltic states.
The great majority of unit commanders in the Lithuanian Armed Forces are BALTDEFCOL graduates.
Photo credits: Alfredas Pliadis
