Storm Defender 2025: Lithuania strengthens coastal and port security through joint exercises
From May 5 to 16, 2025, the Lithuanian Armed Forces conducted Storm Defender 2025 — a large-scale, multi-agency military exercise aimed at enhancing maritime security and interagency cooperation in the region. The operation was led by the Port and Coastal Defence Service of the Lithuanian Navy.
In brief
The Lithuanian Armed Forces conducted the exercise Audros gynėjas 2025 from 5 to 16 May 2025, with the Port and Coastal Defence Service of the Lithuanian Navy as the main organiser. The manoeuvres covered the city and district of Klaipėda, the waters of the port of Klaipėda, the Curonian Lagoon, the Curonian Spit and the entire Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast. Participants included the Military Police, the State Border Guard Service, the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union and allies from Portugal.
Exercise activities were strategically distributed across key maritime and coastal locations, including the city and district of Klaipėda, the Klaipėda State Seaport, the Curonian Lagoon, the Curonian Spit, and the entire Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast.
The training brought together a broad network of national and international participants: the Port and Coastal Defence Service, Military Police, Dr. J. Basanavičius Military Medical Service, Military Commandant’s Office, State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior, representatives from Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, and allied forces from Portugal.
The primary objective of Storm Defender 2025 was to train and ensure the security of the Klaipėda State Seaport — Lithuania’s key maritime gateway — while strengthening coordination among military and civilian entities, improving rapid response capabilities, and reinforcing resilience against hybrid threats and emergencies. Troops engaged in both independent missions and coordinated joint operations with national agencies and NATO partners.
The exercise underscored Lithuania’s commitment to maritime defense and its operational readiness to act decisively in protecting strategic coastal infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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