During the first week of February, the Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC) 2026 of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) conducted its annual Baltic Defence Study Trip, a cornerstone of the curriculum designed to immerse senior officers in the strategic realities of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
This intensive week allowed future leaders preparing for high-level responsibilities to engage directly with national decision-makers, defence planners, and operational commanders across the three host nations.
The journey started in Vilnius, where the delegation held high-level discussions at the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and met with the Chief of Defence and representatives of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. The primary focus remained on the pillars of comprehensive defence and societal resilience, specifically exploring how civil-military integration and strategic communication serve as vital components of national preparedness and regional deterrence.
Following stops in Riga and Ādaži, the participants received comprehensive briefings from the Ministry of Defence of Latvia and the leadership of Multinational Division North. These sessions highlighted the critical intersection of defence industry innovation, infrastructure development, and capability planning. A visit to the Ādaži Military Base offered essential operational-level insights into multinational force integration, demonstrating the practical application of forward land forces and the complexities of maintaining a robust regional defence posture.
This intensive week allowed future leaders preparing for high-level responsibilities to engage directly with national decision-makers, defence planners, and operational commanders across the three host nations.
The journey started in Vilnius, where the delegation held high-level discussions at the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and met with the Chief of Defence and representatives of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. The primary focus remained on the pillars of comprehensive defence and societal resilience, specifically exploring how civil-military integration and strategic communication serve as vital components of national preparedness and regional deterrence.
Following stops in Riga and Ādaži, the participants received comprehensive briefings from the Ministry of Defence of Latvia and the leadership of Multinational Division North. These sessions highlighted the critical intersection of defence industry innovation, infrastructure development, and capability planning. A visit to the Ādaži Military Base offered essential operational-level insights into multinational force integration, demonstrating the practical application of forward land forces and the complexities of maintaining a robust regional defence posture.
The trip concluded in Tallinn, involving engagements with the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Defence League, and the Government Office’s National Security and Defence Coordination Unit. Discussions centred on the evolving military threats from Russia and the resulting shift in foreign and security policy. Participants explored the implications of significant defence transformation and increased spending, which has reached up to 5% of GDP, alongside the role of technological advancement in modernising deterrence.
The Baltic Defence Study Trip directly supports the core learning objectives of the HCSC by enabling participants to engage with practitioners at the heart of strategic decision-making. By examining national defence frameworks and analysing regional requirements firsthand, the course participants are better equipped to conduct informed assessments of contemporary security challenges.
Under the leadership of Dean Dr Tiia-Triin Truusa and Course Director COL (ret) Dr Çlirim Toci, the trip reinforced the vital importance of regional cooperation and credible deterrence. The HCSC 2026 returned to Tartu with a sophisticated understanding of the Baltic security landscape and strengthened professional networks across the region.
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