🔴 NATO kicks off BALTOPS 2026 with 20 ships, 6,000 personnel from 15 nations
NATO launched Baltic Operations exercise this week with 20 ships and 6,000 personnel from 15 NATO members. U.S. Sixth Fleet leads the drills for the first time commanded from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, mimicking actual NATO command structure. Participation is down from BALTOPS 2025 due to NATO naval assets deployed to the Middle East.
• Training includes amphibious operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and unmanned systems
• Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Absalon serves as flagship for surface ships
• U.S.