World

NATO's German-Netherlands Corps to take command role in Estonia, Latvia, says Germany

By Reuters Reuters
FILE PHOTO: A patch on the uniform of a member of 1 German-Netherlands Corps during a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured) and Dutch King Willem-Alexander (not pictured) in Muenster, Germany, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Teresa Kroeger/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A patch on the uniform of a member of 1 German-Netherlands Corps during a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured) and Dutch King Willem-Alexander (not pictured) in Muenster, Germany, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Teresa Kroeger/File Photo Teresa. Kroeger Reuters

BERLIN - NATO's German-Netherlands Corps will take on the role of a tactical headquarters for Estonia and Latvia within the defence alliance's plans around mid-year, Germany's defence ministry said on Thursday.

"The deployment of an additional tactical headquarters to the region strengthens the cohesion of NATO and supports the deterrence of Russia," the ministry said in a statement.

Citing sources, Reuters reported this week that NATO would strengthen the defence of its eastern flank with a new structure to facilitate the rapid deployment of forces in Latvia and Estonia in the event of a war with Russia.

(Writing by Madeline Chambers, Editing by Linda Pasquini)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 2:10 AM.

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW