As always, the designated exercise area for Baltops 2026 is large: it covers the western, southern and central Baltic Sea and stretches from Skagen to the Gulf of Riga. In this area, naval units from numerous NATO states will be exercising together from 4 to 19 June in order to demonstrate and strengthen defence readiness on the eastern flank of the alliance.
Baltops and undivided ships
More detailed information on this is published by the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Office for the German Naval Command in the corresponding notice to mariners (BfS). It not only contains the coordinates of the exercise area and the duration, but also information on the types of units involved and possible encounters with shipping.
Thereafter, it is possible that other vehicles may be contacted by participating combat vessels. Civilian vehicles that are not part of the exercise are requested to keep a safe distance of 1,000 metres (or 5.4 cable lengths) from the combat vessels.
Start in Gdynia, finish in Kiel
After Warnemünde last year, the starting point for Baltops 2026 is Gdynia in the Bay of Gdansk, Poland. In addition to Germany, the 15 participating countries this year include Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and others.
The United States is once again providing the flagship, the 194-metre-long "USS Mount Whitney", a command ship normally stationed in the Mediterranean. After the end of the exercise, many of the naval units are expected to return for the start of Kiel Week.
Manoeuvre has been taking place since 1972
Baltops has been held annually since 1972. Exercises focus on submarine search and combat, mine hunting, air defence against manned and unmanned aircraft and missiles as well as amphibious operations.
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Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
