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Cooperation among multinational forces: How to jointly defend in the Baltic States?
NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) is the organization's deployment of military forces on the front lines in Northern Europe, Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Its purpose is to strengthen defense and deterrence and protect the security of member states in the region. Following Russia's invasion of Crimea, NATO decided at the 2016 Warsaw summit to deploy four multinational battalion combat teams to the areas most likely to be attacked. This move not only strengthens the country's own defense capabilities, but also sends a clear signal to Russia, aiming to avoid direct provocation.
These deployments are not only a military reinforcement, but also a psychological deterrent, forcing the aggressor to consider the potential consequences.
The initial four multinational battalion battle groups were based in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, and were led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and the United States. Following the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, NATO allies agreed to establish four more such multinational teams in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, commanded by Italy, Hungary, France and the Czech Republic. These troops rotate every six months and train and cooperate with the host country's military, a cooperation model that strengthens ties between member states.
Take Estonia's multinational battalion battle group as an example, Belgium sent an armored infantry company of 269 soldiers, and Denmark also sent a mechanized unit around 2018. The United Kingdom plays an important role in this group, originally sending 800 soldiers. The composition of this force has continued to evolve during multiple rotations, demonstrating NATO's flexibility and adaptability in responding to threats.
Every rotation of NATO is not only a strength enhancement, but also a military training opportunity, allowing soldiers from different countries to get along in actual combat.
Latvia's multinational battalion combat team is a shining example of cooperation among countries, with about 1,500 soldiers from various countries stationed together. Canada's contribution to the group is particularly significant, with an ongoing provision of rotational troops and plans to expand that presence to 2,200 by 2023. In the face of potential threats, Canada has not only strengthened the equipment of its land forces, but also plans to introduce air defense and anti-UAV systems, demonstrating its determination to defend itself effectively.
The task of strengthening the troops is not only about quantity, but also about improving capabilities and rapid response mechanisms.
The multinational battalion combat teams in Poland and Lithuania also quickly adjusted their military deployment in the face of the new security environment. Lithuania's combat group is about to be permanently stationed with the German Army, marking a strengthening of its defense capabilities. In the next few years, Poland will further strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries and enhance its ability to counter potential threats.
This series of troop deployments and exercises is not only a reflection of military strategy, but also a joint action by various countries based on common interests and security considerations. The experience of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has undoubtedly accelerated this process. How to effectively integrate the military resources of various countries to achieve the best joint defense effect has become the current primary issue.
Today, as international relations become increasingly complex, the significance of military cooperation is gradually extending to the establishment and deepening of political trust.
In the future, the Baltic countries will face the challenge of how to maintain their military independence and common defense capabilities in a multinational joint combat system. NATO's setup enables these countries to achieve demand-driven flexible maneuverability when faced with potential threats. However, how to effectively respond to internal pressures and diplomatic challenges in various countries while maintaining multilateral cooperation will become a difficult problem that these countries must solve. Does this mean that future defense strategies will require a more flexible multinational cooperation framework?
