On October 11-12 Commanders of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Navies met at the Lithuanian Navy HQ in Klaipėda to address directions or development and cooperation of the Baltic states' Navies.
At the meeting Lithuania's Captain (Navy) Arūnas Mockus with his Latvian and Estonian counterparts, respectively, Rear Admiral Ingus Vizulis and Captain (Navy) Juri Saska approved Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON) Action PLAN 2018, the countries' inputs to the unit and staff composition.
The Commanders of the Baltic states' navies also discussed international cooperation projects of BALTRON - relevant issues, plans and opportunity for improvement of the Baltic Navies Command and Staff Officers Course and the Baltic Navies Divers Training Centre.
"Cooperation of the Navies remains very important in the light of present and potential challenges for the security of the three Baltic states. This meeting has been a great opportunity to align the areas of cooperation that are important to us and to map out prospects for future cooperation," Command of the Lithuanian Navy Captain (Navy) Arūnas Mockus said.
This is the 55th meeting of the Baltic states' navy commanders since the first one in Riga (on 16 January 1996).
Baltic Navy Commanders carry out work meetings bi-annually.
Cooperation of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Navies
The unit was formed by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as part of the Baltic defence cooperation in 1998 for the key tasks of to the regional safety of the Baltics through diminishing the risk caused by naval mines in the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, expanding mutual understanding and increasing interoperability and abilities of cooperation with NATO units.
Since Estonia's withdrawal in 2015 the activities are continued by Latvia and Lithuania, while Estonia contributes to individual exercises and cooperation events. The experience gained within BALTRON facilitates training and readiness for standby for the NATO Response Force (NRF) or assignment to the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group.
BALTRON comprises MCM ships and flagship, as well as international staff assigned by Lithuania and Latvia on a rotational basis for the period of one year. The unit is led by an officer commissioned by one of the respective countries as authorised by the Baltic Military Committee. BALTRON operates in line with the BALTRON Action Plan approved annually by Chiefs of Defence of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
In 2018 BALTRON will be under the command of Lithuania's Lieutenant Commander Audrius Venskūnas. BALTRON staff will be under the command of a Latvian officer. Lithuania will also assign its Jotvingis (N42) command and supply ship.
Apart from BALTRON, the Baltic navies cooperate through the Communication Specialists Training Centre in Estonia, Divers Training Centre, Mine Countermeasures Training and Equipment Maintenance Centre in Latvia and the Baltic Navies Staff Officer Course. Deck Equipment and Weaponry Maintenance Centre operates in Lithuania.
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Lithuanian Navy for CIMIC Lt Cdr Ramūnas Kažerskas, ramū[email protected]
Photo credits: Lithuanian Navy
