Kinshasa, May 28th, 2026 (CPA).- The German Ministry in charge of Defence has announced on Thursday that its country and the Netherlands will deploy in the coming days a joint military headquarters to help command forces on NATO’s eastern flank and respond to the Russian threat, international media have reported. “The deployment of an additional tactical headquarters in the region will strengthen NATO’s cohesion and contribute to the deterrence of Russia,” the German Ministry of Defence has indicated. “The German-Dutch joint command centre will assume a command role on NATO’s eastern flank, more specifically in the region of Estonia and Latvia, from this summer,” it has added. Known as 1GNC (First German-Netherlands Corps), this command centre has its headquarters in Münster (western Germany), from where it deploys for NATO missions if necessary.
Capable of commanding up to 50,000 troops, its missions include planning and conducting military exercises, preparing for potential conflicts and commanding forces in the event of war. Currently, NATO forces in the Baltic region are under the command of a single headquarters located in the Polish city of Szczecin.
The new command headquarters aims to give NATO greater capabilities and the ability to respond more quickly. “By establishing a second army corps headquarters in the region (…) Germany and the Netherlands are demonstrating their willingness and ability to assume responsibility for the deterrence and defence of NATO’s eastern flank,” has indicated the German Ministry in charge of Defence.
The Netherlands and Germany take turns in commanding the 1GNC, which was established in 1995. Germany is in charge of the unit until early 2028. In addition to the Netherlands and Germany, 14 other NATO countries are currently providing personnel to the headquarters.