The Baltic States are in a precarious geographical position. Only the so-called Suwalki Gap connects the three countries to NATO over land. Is Russia’s President Putin taking advantage of this situation? Bundeswehr General Schütt doesn’t think that’s unreasonable – and immediately offers countermeasures.
The new commander of the Bundeswehr Operations Command, Bernd Schütt, sees the greatest danger of a military escalation with Russia on NATO’s north-eastern flank. “And that’s why the point of credible deterrence in this region is a very central point for me. The presence of land forces plays a central role here,” said the lieutenant general. There will also be increased exercises for national and alliance defense in his command. Schütt: “We have not yet trained this type of intensive warfare here. Existing structures and procedures need to be adapted.”
The Operations Command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam manages the contingents of the Bundeswehr on foreign missions in national matters – such as material, personnel and disciplinary matters – but not operationally. During operations like in Lithuania – where the Bundeswehr is leading a multinational NATO battle group (eFP) – the German soldiers are also involved in the defense planning of the respective country. After more concrete Russian threats in the dispute over transit traffic to the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, fears in the Baltic States have recently grown. The so-called Suwalki Gap, a close land connection between the Baltic States and the other NATO countries, is considered a geographical weak point. It separates Kaliningrad from Belarus.
“In the area of ??the Suwalki gap, it is only a short jump and there the danger of testing NATO’s will and ability to defend itself is relatively high. In this area, troops can be deployed relatively quickly and then, for example, using airborne troops, a first one Carry out a push,” said Schütt. “In Putin’s rationale: maybe he thinks NATO won’t come.” That is why it is so important that NATO troops are present and reinforced in the Baltic States. “It’s more than a trip wire. Putin will have to think very carefully about how the reaction will turn out,” said Schuett.
Credible deterrence is key. “In my view, credibility is made up of three things. They have an executable plan that is backed up with the appropriate powers and abilities. And they declare that they are ready to use these powers. And they don’t waver. They show that and demonstrate it you.” This contributed to the fact that no preparations for an attack on NATO territory could be identified. “One thing has finally come to an end: that it can be done without preparation. Even the Russians can’t do it without preparation,” said Schütt. There is a warning time, but not the preparation time to then train and bring forces together.
After the end of the Cold War, the Bundeswehr was trimmed to provide skills and contingents for foreign missions – with special skills limited to the task. After the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, a change of direction was made and alliance defense was included in the portfolio of tasks again. In 2017, the eFP battle group was established in Lithuania.
“Of course, what we could face has a completely different dimension. We then have different rooms, different coordination requirements and we have to practice that,” said Schütt. “The operational command is divided into task forces, which were structured from Mali to maritime missions, among other things. Now, with national and alliance defense, there is a huge additional elephant in the room, which requires adjustments to be able to cope with both.”
