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Missions on the eastern flank of Europe

Since 2014, relations with Russia have been tense again. NATO is strengthening its presence on its eastern flank to show its resolve, on land, in the air and at sea. On 24 February 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made it clear that NATO's efforts are not unnecessary.

NATO multinational missions

Strengthening collective deterrence and solidarity

Belgian deployment on land, sea and in the air

Background

Following the illegal annexation of Crimea, relations between NATO and Russia reach an all-time low. The allies demonstrate their solidarity and strengthen their military presence around the Baltic Sea and in Central and Eastern Europe.

Our mission

  • NATO has a permanent presence in Central and Eastern Europe with eight multinational battle groups. Our country has sent troops to Romania and Lithuania, is monitoring the airspace of the Baltic states and is strengthening the naval presence in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.

     

    Through our participation in these multinational NATO missions, we safeguard peace, integrity and security for our country and the entire NATO territory. Our presence on land, at sea and in the air enhances cooperation with our allies and deters hostile actions.

What does the Belgian Army do?

  • In Romania and Lithuania, our military personnel support NATO's deterrence and defense efforts. In Romania, the Belgian contribution forms part of the battlegroup under French command. In Lithuania, the battlegroup is under German command.

     

    Both detachments consist of combat units from the Belgian Army, each supported by colleagues from various specialized units: engineering, medical, logistics, and more.

What does the Air Force do?

  • On 29 March 2004, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania officially joined NATO. As they lack the means to guard their own airspace, the allies take turns to monitor their airspace as part of Operation Baltic Air Policing. This is also part of NATO's deterrence and defense efforts.

     

    Our Belgian F-16s were the first to take on this role from Siauliai in Lithuania. Since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO has also been using the air bases of Ämari (Estonia) and Malbork (Poland).

     

    In twenty years, the Air Force has carried out this mission sixteen times: eight times in Siauliai, six in Ämari and two in Malbork. During that period, they carried out almost 200 interceptions.

     

    Since 2025, our Air Force also regularly supplies F-16s to help guard Iceland's airspace. This mission (Iceland Air Policing) is also taking turns with our other NATO allies.

What does the Navy do?

  • Our Navy consistently provides support to NATO's deterrence and defense efforts through participation in the fleets Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. This happens in the form of staff officers, frigates, mine countermeasures ships, an NH90 helicopter and a medical team.

     

    In the Baltic Sea, they work together with other ships in their fleet to ensure collective defence and a rapid military response in the event of a crisis.

     

    Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in September 2022, NATO has stepped up its protection of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Since January 2025, Operation Baltic Sentry has been strengthening the protection of critical subsea infrastructure through frigates, maritime patrol aircraft and a small fleet of naval drones.

What’s at stake

  • Through this international mission, we safeguard peace, security, and future prospects for our country.

     

    Worst-case scenario, but not immediately expected

    A situation in which the integrity of, for example, one of the Baltic states is violated, based on Russia’s stance in the Ukrainian crisis.

     

    Current impact

    Instability and uncertainty already have a direct effect on our prosperity, indirectly through volatile markets, delayed investments, and so on.