NATO is practicing a rapid transfer of forces closer to the eastern flank in the Baltic Sea

NATO landing exercises began on Wednesday on the Baltic coast in Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, with the participation of 15 ships and about 2,600. soldiers. The alliance is testing the rapid transfer of forces from southern Europe to strengthen its eastern flank, the dpa news agency reported.

Allied countries taking part in the largest NATO exercise this year, Steadfast Dart 26, are conducting exercises at the Putlos training ground on the Baltic coast, near the island of Fehmarn, including the rapid landing of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF), referred to as the multinational “spearhead” of the Alliance. The scenario assumes the transfer of troops from southern Europe to strengthen the eastern flank in a crisis situation. The exercises are taking place without direct U.S. participation.

The operation was started by divers and special forces. According to NATO, 15 ships and approximately 2.6 thousand people are participating in the landing. soldiers.

In total, approximately 10,000 people take part in the Steadfast Dart 26 maneuvers. military, over 1.5 thousand vehicles and 17 ships from 13 countries. The largest contributions are made by southern European countries, including Türkiye, Spain, Italy and Greece, dpa emphasized.

🇹🇷🚛 Vehicles on the move for #SteadfastDart26

Armored vehicles and equipment from Türkiye's 66th Mechanized Infantry Brigade are arriving in Germany🇩🇪 as part of NATO's Allied Reaction Force deployment.#StrongerTogether | #WeAreNATO | #DeterAndDefend@tcsavunma @NATO… pic.twitter.com/iKbuQ1R8C4

— NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum – JFCBS (@NATOJFCBS) February 8, 2026

“The Alliance is united, capable of action and ready to use forces. It also shows what European partners are able to contribute to NATO,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday, observing the exercises. “If something happens on the eastern flank, NATO troops must be transferred quickly, of course also through Germany,” he added.

The Allied Reaction Force (ARF) involved numbers approximately 40,000. soldiers and are kept on high alert.

The Steadfast Dart 26 maneuvers, which began on January 8, will last until March 26. (PAP)

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