The Baltic Naval Squadron (BALTRON) was inaugurated in 1998. The main responsibility of BALTRON is to improve the co-operation between the
Baltic states in the areas of
naval defence
A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It inc ...
and security. Constant readiness to contribute units to
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
-led operations is assured through BALTRON.
Each Baltic state appoints one or two ships to BALTRON for a certain period and staff members for one year. Service in BALTRON provides both (the crew and staff officers) with an opportunity to serve in an international environment and acquire valuable experience in
mine countermeasures
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to damage or destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, any v ...
.
Estonia
Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...
provides BALTRON with on-shore facilities for the staff.
Membership
There are currently 3 countries in the BALTRON:
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Notes
External links
The Baltic Naval Squadron - BALTRON
{{Baltic states
Military units and formations of NATO
Military projects of the Baltic states
Military of Lithuania
Military of Latvia
Military units and formations of Estonia
Post-Soviet alliances