NATO plans to strengthen the defense of its eastern flank and ensure that alliance forces can be rapidly deployed to Latvia and Estonia in the event of war with Russia, Reuters reported, citing informed sources.
Currently, NATO contingents in the Baltic states and Poland are subordinated to a single command center located in Szczecin, but changes to the command structure are planned in recognition of the strategic importance of the Baltic states.
According to a military source, the creation of an additional corps would help address problems caused by the region’s limited strategic depth and vulnerability.
A fully operational corps normally consists of between 40,000 and 60,000 troops. In peacetime, however, it mainly comprises command structures and specialized technical units that can be rapidly expanded in wartime.
Germany and Netherlands, in coordination with NATO, have reportedly reached an agreement to establish a joint German-Dutch corps to be stationed in Münster. According to Reuters’ military sources,
the corps would be tasked with the defense of Latvia and Estonia.
It remains unclear when the agreement will formally enter into force and how many troops would fall under the new command structure in the event of a conflict.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence stated that work on developing the corps structure is ongoing but declined to provide further details.
Germany’s Defense Ministry also declined to comment on the reports, saying consultations with NATO are still continuing.
Meanwhile, the alliance itself said it would respond to questions at a later stage.
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