BALTOPS 2026 Takes Sail from Gdynia, Poland

The 55th iteration of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2026 kicked off as 20 NATO Ally ships departed the Port of Gdynia, Poland, June 4, 2026.

BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea region designed to demonstrate European leadership in defending this key body of water while enhancing interoperability in all domains. The exercise provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. and its NATO Allies to strengthen warfighting readiness and combat credibility critical to deterrence while preserving the maritime security and stability vital to the Alliance.

"It is a great honor and privilege to host naval forces and personnel representing 15 Allied nations." said Rear Adm. Jarosław Ziemiański, Inspector of the Polish Navy, at the exercise pre-sail conference on June 3. "BALTOPS is not only training, it is an expression of our solidarity, determination and readiness to fulfil the shared commitments that bind us as Allies. Therefore, I thank all participants for their presence, engagement and professionalism."

BALTOPS is led by U.S. 6th Fleet, and for the first time since 1972, the exercise will be command-and-controlled from Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum to provide realistic and relevant training to BALTOPS participants under a NATO command structure.

"BALTOPS forms for us three vital tasks: deters Russian threats in the Baltic Sea region, builds real world readiness and interoperability, strengthen alliance's cohesion" said Lt. Gen. John Mead, deputy commander of JFC Brunssum. "BALTOPS matters because deterrence is not something we can simply talk about. We must demonstrate it".

Over the next two weeks, U.S. and NATO Ally forces will train across the Baltic Sea region to strengthen a wide range of mission areas, including amphibious operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, crisis response, and unmanned systems experimentation.

"Through BALTOPS, we are not just training for a potential crisis, but we are actively working to prevent one by showcasing our unified strength and resolve," said Rear Adm. Jason Naidyhorski, vice commander of U.S. 6th Fleet. "It enhances our interoperability and readiness and serves as yet another example of the important steps our NATO Allies are taking to assume primary responsibility for Europe's conventional deterrence and defense."

Approximately 6,000 personnel from 15 nations, include Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as NATO commands Commander, Task Force (CTF) Baltic and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1, are participating in BALTOPS 2026.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

JFC Brunssum, based in Brunssum the Netherlands, is one of NATO's three operational-level headquarters. It plans and conducts multinational military operations, ensuring force readiness and coordination across all domains. JFC Brunssum strengthens NATO's deterrence and defense posture, protecting the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Allied nations.

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