On May 21 Ministers of Defence of the Baltic states convened in Šiauliai Air Base to discuss regional air defence and opportunities for Baltic cooperation on prospective acquisition of long-range multiple launch rocket systems.
“It could be a new joint long-term regional capability development project of the Baltic states,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas highlighting that regional capability-building enhanced regional deterrence. The project was said to be in the consideration phase.
A. Anušauskas, Minister of Defence of Estonia Kaale Laanet and Minister of Defence of Latvia Artis Pabriks agreed to coordinate among the Baltic states ahead of the upcoming Exercise Zapad 2021 and invited Russia and Belarus to ensure transparency of the exercise. Ministers unanimously condemned Russia’s aggressive Ukraine policy and agreed to coordinate efforts in support of Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations.
Baltic Defence Ministers also decided to coordinate efforts in the preparation for the NATO Heads of State and Government meeting. “We are saddened and concerned by the Russian tension-escalating actions in the region. We will seek to unanimously point out the vital importance of a strong transatlantic bond and collective defence, as well as of a credible deterrence in the eastern flank of the Alliance,” underscored A. Anušauskas.
In the discussion about joint projects, Baltic Defence Ministers welcomed the landmark breakthrough in the process of strengthening maritime awareness capabilities in the Baltic Sea.
“We have finally managed to combine our systems and become able to exchange data to form the recognized maritime picture. It expands our sea surveillance capability and creates excellent conditions for early warning,” stressed A. Anušauskas.
The guests from the Latvian and Estonians Ministries of Defence paid a visit to Šiauliai Air Base and the Air Defence Battalion and viewed the NASAMS mid-range air defence systems the Lithuanian Armed Forces had acquired.
As is usual, Ministers signed a joint communique laying out the areas of a closer Baltic cooperation.
Lithuania chairs the Baltic Security and Defence Cooperation in 2021.The Baltic states cooperate on joint officer training at the Baltic Defence College, NATO Air Policing, and joint exercises. The Baltic states Special Operations Forces develop intense cooperation. The current regional cooperation priorities encompass enhancement of maritime situational awareness and air capability development. The countries also synchronise capability planning, coordinate joint procurement, organise joint training events, exercises, and carry out cooperation of individual armed services.
The Baltic Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Defence, and Chiefs of the Joint Staff meet biannually, Defence policy Directors, Commanders of the armies, navies, air forces and special forces, and experts of various levels also meet on a regular basis.
Photo credits: A. Pliadis/MoD
