The German Navy is the largest NATO-navy in the Baltic Sea. Against this backdrop, it assumed a regional leadership role for NATO on October 1 – the function of “Commander Task Force Baltic” (CTF Baltic). To support this task, a new NATO maritime tactical headquarters was inaugurated in Rostock a few days ago.
In future, CTF Baltic will be permanently available for the Alliance’s command tasks in the Baltic Sea. The central objective is to introduce a maritime situation picture – combining military and civilian data – and to coordinate naval activities in the region. For the German Armed Forces this is “another milestone in strengthening national and alliance defense”, according to a press release. https://militaeraktuell.at/otokar-rumaenien-kauft-mehr-als-1-000-cobra-ii/
Background
Since 2017, NATO has also decided to set up permanent maritime headquarters at the so-called top tactical level as part of the adaptation of its command structure. These commander task force headquarters have two main tasks: to plan maritime operations and exercises and to lead naval forces assigned by NATO both in peacetime and in times of crisis and war. Although CTF Baltic is a national headquarters, many other countries are also involved. In addition to Germany, eleven other nations are involved in CTF Baltic: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The headquarters is led by a German admiral, his deputy is a Polish admiral. The position of Chief of Staff is held by a Swedish staff officer. Subordinate command positions are also filled by multinationals.
Here for further reports on the Bundeswehr and here to further reports on NATO.
