Alvydas Šiuparis: Professional military education in the Baltic States

Alvydas Šiuparis
Brigadier General, Commandant
Baltic Defence College
Tartu, Estonia

alvydas.siuparis@baltdefcol.org

The current year holds significant historical resonance for the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, marked by two notable anniversaries. Internationally, it commemorates their accession to the European Union and NATO in 2004. It was a pivotal achievement in their foreign policy objectives. Regionally, this year marked the Baltic Defence College’s 25th anniversary, a milestone underscoring the collaborative decision made by the Baltic nations in 1999 to merge their efforts to create a unique tri-national Professional Military Education (PME) institution, which aimed not only to meet modern educational standards but also to prepare officers to facilitate their nations’ accession NATO, constituting another critical foreign policy objective. Beyond delivering high quality education at the operational and strategic levels, the College has played a key role in facilitating the alignment of the respective armed forces with Western models. The College is an integral constituent of the PME system of the Baltic nations in which the tactical-level education and training are delivered nationally by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania including joint intermediate specialized courses.

The twenty-five-year milestone not only represents the growth of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) but also reflects maturity and stability. Recognized as the most successful defence related joint project of the Baltic nations, BALTDEFCOL boasts a distinguished alumni network occupying various prominent civilian and military positions, thereby contributing to regional security awareness and bolstering the security of NATO’s eastern flank. The College’s commitment to advancing the quality of education is evidenced by its alignment with the ambitious goals of the Framework Nations – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This commitment is further underscored by the expansion of course offerings and student enrolment to address regional imperatives, while also encouraging NATO member states and partners to contribute to education by deploying faculty and sending students. The international ethos of BALTDEFCOL is a defining attribute, fostering an environment of mutual comprehension and cooperation conducive to the effective problem-solving and innovative thinking essential for addressing multifaceted security challenges. Noteworthy is the recent agreement signed by the Finnish National Defence University expressing its intent to participate in the BALTDEFCOL-led Combined Joint Staff Exercise, while the Swedish Defence University has also expressed a keen interest in future involvement. This exercise, conducted in collaboration with Poland’s War Studies University, represents a significant stride towards harmonizing education with NATO standards and signifies trust in the BALTDEFCOL as a premier institution for professional military education.

In Tartu, there exist distinctive and innovative educational opportunities, such as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader’s Course and the Civil Servants Course, which are pioneering initiatives in their respective fields. The College remains committed to enhancing the quality of education in response to the evolving landscape of military affairs and contemporary educational standards. Recognized in the Allied Command Transformation’s Education and Training Opportunities Catalogue, the courses offered by the College have met stringent criteria, contributing to its attainment of unconditional institutional accreditation status in July 2022. This accreditation, valid for six years, represents a significant milestone in affirming BALTDEFCOL’s commitment to delivering high-quality education and its relevance to NATO. While this accreditation underscores the College’s status as a premier PME institution, it also necessitates continued efforts to meet the expectations of the Framework Nations, NATO, and partner institutions.

The College’s commitment to excellence in education has garnered widespread recognition. One of its key priorities involves actively assisting in the development of the Ukrainian Professional Military Education system, achieved through close collaboration with the National Defence University of Ukraine. Concurrently, the College is engaged in educating Ukrainian officers and NCOs. Recognized by Ukrainian partners as a model of successful cooperation spanning over 25 years, the College plays a pivotal role in these endeavours, contributing to Ukraine’s pursuit of sovereignty and freedom. This ongoing partnership operates in tandem with the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), ensuring coordinated efforts towards shared objectives.

The mission of the College, as outlined by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, imposes a significant responsibility to uphold rigorous standards and align with NATO’s evolving strategies, ensuring that graduates are equipped with information founded on verifiable truths. This mission is inherently challenging, given the dynamic nature of the contemporary battlefield, which necessitates providing students with a deeper understanding of Multi-Domain Operations, cutting-edge technologies, AI, and digitalization within the realms of operational planning and execution. Insights drawn from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have already been integrated to adapt to the realities of modern warfare. These adaptations are further reinforced within an international setting, creating an environment where students acquire the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to make informed decisions in both domestic and international contexts.

Lennart Meri, during a speech on the opening the Baltic Defence College in February 1999 recognized it as an “example of our will of defence… to secure our national sovereignty and regional stability and make our contribution to the strengthening of global security”[1]. This contribution is embraced and implemented at the Baltic Defence College, representing the Framework Nations’ commitment to regional and European security amidst the backdrop of Russia’s imperialistic ambitions.