Beyond Routine: The NATO Exercise in Lithuania

NATO exercises in Lithuania have been the subject of fake news and disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the alliance. NATO has bolstered its eastern flank with troops, war games, and equipment ready for a rapid response force of up to 40,000 personnel, due to concerns that Russia could invade Poland or the Baltic states. NATO’s military presence in the east of the alliance is an important component of its deterrence and defense posture. Exercise Ramstein Alloy 19-2, which brought together fighter jets of eight NATO countries and two partner nations, was successfully concluded in the Baltics in 2019.

The Readiness Action Plan (RAP) is a comprehensive package of assurance and adaptation measures that are part of the baseline of the alliance’s defense posture. NATO is revisiting its Cold War past with its first major defense plans in decades, detailing how the alliance would respond to a Russian attack. Lithuania’s Total Defense Review aims to develop favorable exercise conditions nationally and regionally for air and missile defense exercises and other military activities.

What is the purpose of the NATO exercise in Lithuania

The purpose of the NATO exercise in Lithuania is to test the readiness of NATO troops to defend the alliance’s eastern flank in the event of a conflict with Russia. The exercise is also an opportunity for troops from various allies to hone their skills and ability to work together. Exercise Iron Wolf, one of Lithuania’s largest military exercises, saw nine NATO allies training alongside Lithuania’s Iron Wolf Brigade. The exercise involves more than 3,500 troops and tests the ability of the Lithuanian Army’s Iron Wolf Brigade to carry out defensive operations. Lithuania’s Total Defense Review aims to develop favorable exercise conditions nationally and regionally for air and missile defense exercises and other military activities. NATO is revisiting its Cold War past with its first major defense plans in decades, detailing how the alliance would respond to a Russian attack