Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia’s defense chiefs visited the Baltic Defense College in Tartu, Estonia, April 16, 2025. As the premier NATO-accredited institution for professional military education in the Baltic region, the college attracts students from across the NATO alliance and Partnership for Peace nations.
During a “Key Challenges in Implementing a Defense Policy” roundtable discussion, the three Chiefs of Defense emphasized the significance of bilateral cooperation with the United States, particularly focusing on the United States Army.
During the visit, Gen. Raimundas Vaikšnoras, commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, emphasized strengthening USA-Lithuania cooperation and consolidating Germany-Lithuania cooperation, particularly with the 41st Panzergrenadier Brigade, which is expected to be fully mission-capable by 2027. He also highlighted enhancing regional deterrence with the Baltic States and Poland.
Vaikšnoras highlighted the support of two U.S. battalions from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, rotating in Lithuania. He also emphasized the importance of the State Partnership Program with Pennsylvania in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
“Long-lasting cooperation with the U.S., which started 30 years ago, has placed special emphasis on the State Partnership Program, which helped us develop our forces,” said Vaikšnoras. “The U.S. presence in Lithuania is one of the main deterrents to potential adversaries.”
He emphasized that European activities have effects all the way to China and highlighted that tensions in the Pacific will also affect Europe. His recent visit to INDOPACOM allowed him to share lessons learned in an information exchange between both theaters.
“Knowing the scope and what INDOPACOM Command is facing, you look at the map and see that the Pacific Ocean is twice the size of the Atlantic,” he said. “For me, this underscores the challenges faced by the U.S. in the Pacific Theater.”
Maj. Gen. Ivo Pudāns, who recently assumed command of the Latvian National Armed Forces January 27, 2025, emphasized the pivotal role of the State Partnership Program with Michigan.
“I am grateful for the support from the U.S. in our developmental years, which has significantly contributed to the growth of our forces,” said Pudāns “The State Partnership Program with Michigan has been particularly beneficial in Air-Land integration through (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) programs, and this cooperation continues to evolve across other domains.”
He further emphasized the importance of the presence of U.S. Soldiers in Latvia, saying, “I am pleased with the presence of any U.S. Soldiers in Latvia, as it greatly enhances our deterrence and provides assurance to our society. Whenever there is training, everyone asks where the USA flag is, and the leadership of the United States is highly respected.”
Pudāns feels confident in Latvia's ability to conduct close combat operations but looks to the U.S. for support in deep combat operations. He also expressed satisfaction with Latvia's capabilities in cyber defense and highlighted cyber defense as a potential area for future bilateral cooperation with the U.S. in the Baltic.
Maj. Gen. Andrus Merilo, commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, emphasized the importance of improving Estonia's capabilities under Article 3 of the NATO alliance.
“U.S. boots on the ground are crucial for credible deterrence and contribute directly to nuclear deterrence,” said Merilo, highlighting the critical role of U.S. troops in Estonia. “Without them, the threat to Estonia increases. The troops in Estonia have unofficially integrated into our defenses, knowing they would have to fight alongside us, if necessary. We are also providing the U.S. Army in Estonia a unique opportunity to build up their readiness, particularly the 5-7 CAV at REEDO in Southern Estonia, which is very close to Russia. This setup is next to the training area with a shooting and live fire exercise range, allowing the U.S. Army to improve its readiness while providing security.”
Merilo also discussed and expressed satisfaction with the integration of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, with U.S. forces.
“HIMARS training is nearly complete, and we can begin using them in our integrated defense,” said Merilo. “The HIMARS have enhanced our ability to conduct deep strikes and will be fully integrated into our training cycle. The synchronization of joint fires has been partially achieved, and I see this as a successful example of future integration, including air missile defense options. If the Patriot system is selected, there may be an option to integrate ADA and long-range fires.”
He also highlighted the Maryland State Partnership Program as a key element of bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, Maj. Seth Clute of the Maryland National Guard, currently a student at the Baltic Defense College, cited the unique global experience provided by the college. He emphasized the importance of the NATO-aligned curriculum in fostering mutual understanding among international partners.
“National Guard members rarely get yearlong international engagements outside of deployments, making this a truly unique opportunity,” he said.
The Maryland National Guard and Estonia have been partners in the State Partnership Program since 1993, strengthening Estonia's military capabilities and fostering US-Baltic cooperation. Clute highlighted the benefits of direct engagement with senior government and military officials, which has provided him with valuable insights into strategic defense planning and multinational operations critical to NATO's collective defense goals.
The U.S. has contributed significantly to the Baltic Defense College by providing faculty and students. Currently, the college has two U.S. Army instructors, supplied by the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command’s Security Assistance Training Management Organization, who teach the Joint Command and General Staff Course.Additionally, five U.S. military students are enrolled, and the inaugural Senior Service College Fellow, sponsored by the U.S. Army War College, attends the Higher Command Studies Course.
Lt. Col. Kevin Ryan, the first U.S. Army War College Fellow at the Baltic Defense College, also attended the visit and shared his experience.
Ryan's research focuses on the long-term sustainability of the Baltic nations' defense strategies. He has attended numerous conferences and met with experts on the topic. He has also lectured at the Civil Servants’ Course and the JCGSC on various defense and leadership topics before attending the HCSC, which began in January 2025.
“The immersive nature of this fellowship is phenomenal,” said Ryan. “It has allowed me to experience the security challenges of the Baltic Region and NATO’s eastern flank firsthand, enriching my understanding of the strategic challenges in the region.”
In conclusion, the engagement underscored the vital role of bilateral cooperation with the United States Army in enhancing regional security and defense capabilities. The presence of U.S. instructors and students at the college and the integration of advanced systems like HIMARS highlights the ongoing commitment to mutual defense and strategic collaboration. The testimonials from Clute and Ryan further illustrate the profound impact of these partnerships on professional development and operational readiness. As the Baltic nations continue to strengthen their defense strategies and adhere to NATO principles, the enduring cooperation with the United States Army remains a cornerstone of regional stability and collective security.
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