BALTOPS 2026 underway as NATO launches largest maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea

BALTOPS 2026, NATO's largest annual maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea region, commenced on 4 June, bringing together allied naval, air, amphibious and special operations forces for two weeks of multinational training focused on interoperability, collective defence and maritime security.

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04 june 2026 | 19:52 | Source: Gazeta Morska | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print

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The 55th edition of the exercise comes as the Baltic Sea continues to gain strategic importance within NATO's regional defence architecture. The accession of Finland and Sweden to the Alliance, combined with growing concerns over the security of critical maritime infrastructure, undersea cables, energy networks and key shipping routes, has further elevated the region's importance for Allied defence planning.

Running from 4 to 19 June, BALTOPS 2026 provides NATO and partner nations with an opportunity to enhance operational integration, validate command-and-control procedures and strengthen the ability of multinational forces to conduct complex maritime operations in a realistic operational environment.

Beginning in the Polish port city of Gdynia and concluding in Kiel, Germany, the exercise encompasses a wide range of activities, including anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasure operations, integrated air and missile defence, amphibious warfare, maritime interdiction, logistics support at sea, search and rescue missions, and the employment of unmanned systems.

Baltic Sea remains a strategic focus for NATO

For more than five decades, BALTOPS has served as NATO's flagship maritime exercise in Northern Europe. Originally launched in 1972 during the Cold War, the exercise has evolved into a major multinational training event designed to improve interoperability among Allied and partner forces operating in the Baltic theatre.

Today, the Baltic Sea represents one of NATO's most strategically significant maritime regions. The area serves as a vital corridor for commercial shipping, military mobility, energy transportation and digital communications, making maritime security a central component of regional stability.

BALTOPS 2026 reflects NATO's continued focus on ensuring freedom of navigation, protecting critical maritime infrastructure and maintaining the ability to respond rapidly to emerging security challenges across the region.

Poland contributes key naval assets

As one of the leading maritime nations in the Baltic region, Poland is making a substantial contribution to this year's exercise through assets from the Polish Navy, the Naval Aviation Brigade, the Coastal Missile Unit and Special Operations Forces.

The Polish Navy's participation includes the guided-missile frigate ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko, the anti-submarine warfare corvette ORP Kaszub, the transport and minelaying vessel ORP Lublin, and the mine warfare vessels ORP Necko and ORP Nakło.

In addition, ORP Kontradmirał X. Czernicki is participating while serving as the flagship of NATO's Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), underscoring Poland's growing role within NATO's standing maritime forces and multinational command structures.

The deployment highlights Poland's ability to contribute across multiple warfare areas, ranging from anti-submarine and mine warfare operations to amphibious support, coastal defence and maritime reconnaissance.

Anti-submarine warfare takes centre stage

Anti-submarine warfare remains one of the core focus areas of BALTOPS 2026, reflecting the increasing importance of undersea security in contemporary naval operations.

Throughout the exercise, ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko and ORP Kaszub will participate in scenarios involving the detection, tracking and engagement of submarine threats. Working alongside Allied surface combatants, maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters, the vessels will contribute to a comprehensive anti-submarine warfare framework designed to strengthen operational cooperation among participating navies.

The Baltic Sea presents a particularly challenging environment for anti-submarine operations due to its shallow waters, varying salinity levels and complex acoustic conditions. As a result, exercises such as BALTOPS provide valuable opportunities for crews to refine tactics, techniques and procedures under realistic operational conditions.

Participating units will also train in defending naval formations against attacks by surface vessels, aircraft and increasingly prevalent unmanned systems operating in both the aerial and maritime domains.

Mine countermeasure forces safeguard maritime mobility

Mine warfare continues to represent a significant challenge in the Baltic Sea, where historical ordnance and the potential use of modern naval mines remain important considerations for military planners.

As part of BALTOPS 2026, ORP Necko and ORP Nakło have joined multinational mine countermeasure formations operating alongside the Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON). Their primary tasks include the detection, identification and neutralisation of simulated mine threats, ensuring safe access for larger naval forces operating within the exercise area.

A parallel mine countermeasure task group is being led by SNMCMG1 from aboard ORP Kontradmirał X. Czernicki. Together, these forces demonstrate NATO's capability to maintain maritime mobility and secure critical sea lanes during periods of heightened tension or conflict.

Mine countermeasure operations remain among the most demanding naval missions, requiring close coordination between specialised vessels, divers, autonomous systems and command elements.

Amphibious operations demonstrate power projection capabilities

Amphibious warfare forms another important component of this year's exercise.

ORP Lublin will serve as a platform for amphibious assault and landing operations involving Marine units participating in the exercise. These activities are designed to enhance cooperation between naval and ground forces while improving the Alliance's ability to project power ashore from the maritime domain.

Amphibious operations remain among the most complex military undertakings, requiring precise coordination between ships, aircraft and land forces. BALTOPS provides an opportunity to rehearse these capabilities in a multinational environment while strengthening readiness for potential crisis response scenarios.

Special operations forces and unmanned systems integration

One of the more technologically advanced aspects of BALTOPS 2026 involves the integration of special operations forces with unmanned platforms and precision targeting systems.

Operators from Poland's naval special operations unit FORMOZA are participating in scenarios involving reconnaissance, target acquisition and precision strike coordination. Their tasks include identifying and designating targets for both naval and aerial assets operating across the exercise area.

The exercise also incorporates the use of unmanned systems, including MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft and other autonomous platforms. The integration of manned and unmanned capabilities reflects broader trends in modern military operations, where persistent surveillance, rapid information sharing and precision engagement have become increasingly important.

For NATO forces, these activities provide an opportunity to refine concepts for multidomain operations in a complex and contested environment.

Naval aviation expands the maritime operational picture

The Polish Naval Aviation Brigade is contributing a range of airborne assets that significantly enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness throughout the exercise.

AW101 multi-role helicopters will conduct anti-submarine warfare missions in support of naval task groups, providing additional capabilities for submarine detection and tracking.

Search and rescue responsibilities are being carried out by W-3WARM Anakonda helicopters, which will support personnel recovery and emergency response operations during the exercise.

Meanwhile, the M28B 1R Bryza maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft will provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, contributing to the recognised maritime picture and supporting commanders with real-time operational information.

The integration of aviation assets with naval task groups remains a critical element of modern maritime operations, particularly in the Baltic region's complex operating environment.

Multinational participation reflects allied unity

BALTOPS 2026 brings together forces from a broad range of NATO member states, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The exercise also involves NATO command structures such as Command Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic), headquartered in Rostock, Germany, and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One.

Overall coordination is being provided by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S. Sixth Fleet, in cooperation with NATO's Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), based in Oeiras, Portugal.

The participation of these organisations highlights the Alliance's ability to integrate national and multinational forces within a common operational framework while strengthening cooperation across the maritime domain.

More than an exercise: a strategic message

While BALTOPS remains primarily a training event, it also serves as a visible demonstration of Allied deterrence and collective defence.

The exercise showcases NATO's ability to rapidly assemble and deploy multinational maritime forces, establish effective command structures and conduct coordinated operations across a broad spectrum of warfare areas.

At a time when maritime infrastructure security, undersea assets and freedom of navigation have become increasingly prominent concerns, BALTOPS 2026 provides an important opportunity to validate operational readiness and reinforce cooperation among Allied navies.

Equally important, the exercise demonstrates the enduring relevance of maritime power in maintaining regional security and supporting the stability of Europe's northern flank.

As operations continue through mid-June, the Baltic Sea will once again serve as NATO's largest maritime training area, bringing together ships, aircraft, special operations forces and support units in a comprehensive demonstration of multinational cooperation and operational readiness.

BALTOPS 2026 will conclude in Kiel, Germany, on 19 June following more than two weeks of intensive training across one of Europe's most strategically important maritime regions.