Germany leads NATO’s largest Baltic drills
On Thursday, the German Armed Forces reviewed large-scale military exercises dubbed “Quadriga 2025,” with the participation of forces from more than 12 NATO member states, as part of preparations to strengthen defense capabilities on Europe’s eastern flank and protect the Baltic Sea region.
The maneuvers, which took place at a government-owned shipyard on the banks of the Warnow River in Rostock, featured demonstrations for an audience of politicians, military, and administrative officials.
They included demonstrations of drones, decontamination equipment, and a simulation of a transport ship sailing safely toward the Baltic Sea under the protection of the German police and navy.
“The mission is very clear: We’re defending every square centimeter of NATO territory, on land, at sea, and in the air… It’s about protecting the Baltic Sea region in times of crisis and war,” General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, said during the maneuvers.
For his part, Vice Admiral Jan-Christian Kaack, the German Navy Inspector, explained that what happened in the port of Rostock represents a small part of the bigger picture, which is securing maritime shipping routes extending from the east coast of North America through Germany to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
In addition to the maneuvers, the German Army is continuing to build the 45th Armored Brigade in Lithuania, known as Lithuania, which is expected to be completed by 2027 with up to 5,000 soldiers, as part of strengthening NATO’s presence on the eastern border.
During the core drills period, from August to September, approximately 8,000 soldiers from 14 NATO member states will participate in the “Quadriga 2025” drills, which observers say reflects the alliance’s commitment to strengthening its collective security and deterring potential threats.
