Major NATO naval exercises BALTOPS 2026 begin in Baltic Sea this week
Fifteen NATO countries including Poland will participate in BALTOPS 2026 naval exercises running June 4-19 across the Baltic Sea, practicing anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations.
NATO's annual BALTOPS naval exercises are entering their final preparation phase before launching on June 4, 2026, with participation from 15 NATO member states including Poland and France. The exercises will run through June 19 across the Baltic Sea region.
The manoeuvres, led by US Armed Forces, will take place from the Skagerrak strait to the Gulf of Riga, including areas near Russia's Kaliningrad region. BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) is one of NATO's largest annual maritime exercises, designed to enhance interoperability and readiness among alliance members.
Exercise scope
- Duration: June 4-19, 2026
- Participants: 15 NATO countries including Poland, France, and Baltic states
- Focus areas: Anti-submarine defence, mine countermeasures, convoy escort operations, amphibious landings, and deployment of unmanned platforms
- Geographic range: Baltic Sea from Skagerrak to Gulf of Riga
The exercises come at a time of heightened security focus in the Baltic region, with NATO reinforcing its eastern flank presence. Poland's navy and air force are expected to play significant roles in the operations, which will test coordination between allied forces in a maritime environment.
For foreigners in Poland: While these military exercises are routine annual events, you may notice increased military aircraft activity, particularly in northern Poland near Gdańsk and the Baltic coast, during the two-week exercise period. These are planned NATO operations and not cause for concern. If you're traveling to coastal areas, be aware of potential temporary maritime restrictions in certain zones.
