The Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) hosted a delegation from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) for a focused programme of discussions, briefings and engagement activities aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and exploring opportunities for future cooperation.

The JEF delegation led by LTC William Searight (United Kingdom), and accompanied by LTC Sergei Guselnikov (Estonia) and LTC Torben Hellem (Norway) was welcomed by the Dean, Dr. Tiia-Triin Truusa; Course Director of Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) and Civil Servants’ Course (CSC), COL Ivo Mūrmanis; and LTC (ret) Riho Tammistu, together with faculty and students participating in various sessions.

The visit started with a briefing session to give an overview of the College’s mission and areas of academic development. Additional discussions covered the role of artificial intelligence in professional military education and defence planning. The visitors expressed appreciation for BALTDEFCOL’s approach to the ethical employment of AI. Also, a strategic briefing on Russia was delivered by BALTDEFCOL faculty, after which the programme continued at the Estonian Military Academy Simulation Centre, where JEF representatives led a roundtable discussion titled “An Introduction to the Joint Expeditionary Force and its Future Opportunities.” This session brought together JCGSC and CSC participants and interested staff.

During the roundtable, the visitors provided a concise and informative overview of their parent organisation. The JEF is a multinational defence framework composed of ten Northern European nations committed to regional security, cooperation and rapid crisis response. It is designed as a flexible and scalable structure that supports NATO and national defence plans. Led by the United Kingdom as the framework nation, the JEF focuses on multidomain readiness, shared situational awareness, and close integration with NATO regional activities. Its “LION” series of exercises ensures regular rehearsals of deterrence, crisis response and interoperability across the JEF area of responsibility.

At the conclusion of the visit, both BALTDEFCOL and the JEF delegation expressed appreciation for the productive exchanges and agreed to continue cooperation in the future, recognising the value of sustained dialogue and shared regional security objectives.