Executive Summary
This article analyzes the challenges of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) in the Baltic States, focusing on advanced threats like missiles, UAVs, and hypersonic systems. It synthesizes combat lessons from 2022-2025, identifying vulnerabilities such as radar gaps and stationary C2, and proposes operational and tactical measures for enhanced defense. The paper emphasizes the need for operational innovation, mobility, and deeper regional and NATO integration to counter evolving air threats.
Why It Matters
This document is crucial for defense analysts as it provides a detailed, evidence-based assessment of Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) challenges in the strategically vital Baltic region, drawing lessons from the Ukraine war and proposing actionable solutions for NATO's eastern flank.
Key Takeaways
- The Baltic States face significant IAMD challenges from advanced Russian air threats, necessitating operational innovation and enhanced regional integration.
- Lessons from the Ukraine war highlight the effectiveness of Western air defense systems (e.g., NASAMS, IRIS-T) against Russian missiles and drones, but also the vulnerability to swarm attacks.
- Addressing radar gaps, stationary command and control, and integrating C-UAS capabilities are critical for improving Baltic IAMD, alongside passive air defense measures.
Strategic Relevance
The paper directly addresses the strategic vulnerability of NATO's eastern flank, specifically the Baltic States, to advanced Russian air and missile threats. It outlines critical gaps in Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and proposes tactical and operational solutions, directly impacting NATO's deterrence posture and collective defense capabilities in a high-tension region.