From the 4th until the 22nd of May, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL), in cooperation with the Finnish National Defence University (FNDU) and the Polish War Studies University (WSU) will conduct the eighth edition of the Combined Joint Staff Exercise JOINT RESOLVE (CJSE JR26) in Helsinki, Finland.  CJSE JOINT RESOLVE 2026 will mark the first time that the Finnish National Defence University will host the exercise. It will also be the first time that a student delegation from the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) will participate and the third time that we welcomed a sizeable contingent of students from the National Defence University of Ukraine, making CJSE JR26 one of the largest such events since its inception in 2019.

The aim of CJSE JR26 is to formulate a solution to complex operational problems by developing and executing a viable joint operational plan using the NATO operational planning process. In order to achieve the first element of the exercise, participants will cooperate in a number of simulated Joint Operational Planning Groups to demonstrate their understanding of the planning principles set out in NATO’s Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive. CJSE JR26 also provides the participants with an excellent opportunity to work together in a truly multinational environment, with officers possessing a wide variety of skills and professional backgrounds.

During this early phase of CJSE JR26, exercise participants are required to analyse a complex operational environment, which mirrors contemporary threats and challenges, to develop multiple Courses of Action, and present a Mission Analysis Briefing and a Decision Briefing to the Commander.

The students are supported by highly experienced Senior Mentors, Subject Matter Experts, and faculty members from all three of the framework educational institutions, augmented by additional representatives from within the NATO Command and Force Structures, Centres of Excellence and National Agencies. 

This year's edition of the JOINT RESOLVE Exercise includes over 250 participants, representing the following nations: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States.  This broad representation emphasises the value of the exercise as a vehicle for enhancing the education of the next generation of military leaders within NATO and its partner nations.