Baltic Defence College

A historic milestone for Baltic defence cooperation took place in 🇪🇪 , as the Baltic Defence College hosted its official Change of Command Ceremony to hand over command from to .
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🎖️ A Legacy of Excellence: We extend our deepest gratitude to the outgoing Commandant, BG Alvydas Šiuparis, for his outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication to regional security over the past three years.

🇱🇻 Welcoming New Leadership: We proudly welcome incoming Commandant, BG Egils Leščinskis. BG Leščinskis brings a wealth of operational, planning, and defence education experience back to BALTDEFCOL, where he has previously served as a staff member and graduated from both our Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) and Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC).

👥 Senior Enlisted Handover: The ceremony also marked the transition of institutional custody between College Sergeants Major, as CSM Alvydas Tamosius handed over his duties to incoming Latvian CSM Didzis Baltins.

The event was honoured by high-level 🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 Baltic leadership, including Estonian Minister of Defence, Mr Hanno Pevkur; Latvian Minister of Defence, Mr Raivis Melnis; and Lithuanian Vice-Minister, Dr Karolis Aleksa.

As regional security dynamics continue to evolve, the framework nations reminded us of a core truth: "Who is next to you is more important than who is against you."

We wish the new leadership team fair winds as they guide the College into its next chapter of strategic education.

🔗 https://baltdefcol.org/news/baltic-defence-college-celebrates-2026-graduation-and-official-change-of-command