The Baltic Sea is becoming the arena for the largest test of allied interoperability. In the coming days, multinational naval forces will take part in the anniversary 55th edition of BALTOPS 2026 (Baltic Operations 2026), demonstrating NATO’s readiness to defend the Alliance’s eastern flank. NATO’s most important maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea basin will begin on 4 June in Gdynia and continue until 19 June. The primary objective is to rehearse multinational responses to maritime threats. The exercise showcases allied interoperability while reaffirming NATO’s commitment to the collective security of all member states.

The exercise is led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet together with NATO Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), headquartered in Oeiras, Portugal. The manoeuvres will conclude in Kiel, Germany, on 19 June.

This year’s BALTOPS 2026 involves numerous allied nations, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. NATO structures participating in the exercise include NATO’s Command Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic), headquartered in Rostock, and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1).

The main purpose of the exercise is to enhance the interoperability of NATO naval forces. Particular emphasis is placed on crew coordination and teamwork, thereby improving operational readiness and training standards. BALTOPS also highlights the role of naval forces within the international security system and in creating conditions for the safe development of maritime economies.

This year, the Polish Navy will be represented by vessels from the 3rd Ship Flotilla and the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla: the guided missile frigate ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko, the anti-submarine warfare corvette ORP Kaszub, the transport and minelaying ship ORP Lublin, and the minesweepers ORP Necko and ORP Nakło. The exercise will also involve a missile battery combat module from the Naval Missile Unit, an aviation component from the Naval Aviation Brigade, and Polish Special Forces. In addition, ORP Kontradmirał X. Czernicki, currently serving as the flagship of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1, will participate in the exercise.

BALTOPS will officially begin with the port phase, the so-called “Pre-Sail Conference” in Gdynia, during which briefings and preparatory meetings will take place. At these meetings, the exercise details will be finalised, while commanders will receive their initial training scenarios and assignments. The maritime phase of BALTOPS 2026 will commence on Thursday, 4 June. Once at sea, the participating vessels will form tactical groups. Together with naval aviation assets, they will conduct operations including integrated air defence, anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasure operations, replenishment at sea, amphibious assault operations and search-and-rescue missions.

According to the exercise scenario, ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko and ORP Kaszub will conduct anti-submarine warfare operations. They will also defend against attacks by surface vessels and aircraft, as well as counter various types of drones, both aerial and surface-based. ORP Lublin will serve as a platform for amphibious assault operations conducted by Marine units. Meanwhile, the minesweepers ORP Necko and ORP Nakło will join the mine countermeasure task group, operating alongside other vessels under the command of the Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON). Their mission will involve searching for and clearing mines from key shipping lanes, thereby securing passage for larger combat vessels. A second mine countermeasure group will be formed by the minehunters of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1), commanded from aboard ORP Kontradmirał X. Czernicki.

An important element of BALTOPS 2026 will be the participation of Polish Special Forces. Operators from the FORMOZA special operations unit will direct precision air and maritime strikes. During the exercise, they will be responsible for target designation for unmanned surface vessels and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems.

Aircraft from the Naval Aviation Brigade will demonstrate their full operational capabilities. AW101 multirole helicopters will focus on anti-submarine warfare training, operating in close coordination with naval task groups. Search-and-rescue operations and maritime safety tasks will be carried out by W-3WARM Anakonda helicopters, responsible for evacuation missions from ship decks. Overseeing the entire operational picture will be the M28B 1R Bryza maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, providing critical intelligence and supporting situational awareness across the theatre of operations.

BALTOPS is the largest maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea, with numerous scenarios also conducted across land and air domains. The exercise has been organised in the Baltic Sea since 1972. Initially, it involved only NATO forces. From 1993 onwards, new states from the former Eastern Bloc, including Poland, were invited to participate. Since then, BALTOPS has been conducted within the framework of the Partnership for Peace programme. Today, it is a multinational exercise focused primarily on joint maritime operations, with particular emphasis on anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, air defence and amphibious operations.