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The Chiefs of Defense of NATO’s Military Committee convened in Riga, Latvia, from September 26 to 28, 2025, for their annual conference. The gathering brought together the Alliance’s 32 military leaders and strategic commanders to assess NATO’s security posture.

Chair of the Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone opened the conference by thanking Latvia for hosting and emphasized the Alliance’s unity on its eastern flank. “Our presence here in the Baltics is an unmistakable signal of NATO’s cohesion and solidarity towards our fellow Allies on the Eastern Flank,” he said.

The first session, led by Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich, focused on operations, missions, and regional defence plans, particularly addressing Russia as NATO’s principal recognized threat.

In the second session, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Admiral Pierre Vandier outlined the need for rapid adoption of new technologies to strengthen interoperability and industrial capacity across the Alliance.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also addressed the gathering, warning that Russia continues a “pattern of provocations,” including recent violations of Polish and Estonian airspace. “Transforming Baltic air policing to a Baltic air defence mission with respective rules of engagement should be a priority,” he said.

Welcome to Riga, NATO Military Committee! For the first time Chiefs of Defense of 32 Allied nations meet in Latvia at a very challenging moment to discuss how to develop capabilities to tackle many threats NATO nations face. pic.twitter.com/Q1ktttG0Tw

— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) September 27, 2025

Drone incursion over Europe

The summit comes in the backdrop of escalating aerial violations across Eastern Europe. DEnmarl, Poland, Estonia, and Romania have reported incidents involving unidentified drones and fighter jets in recent weeks. NATO confirmed that some drones were of Russian origin, though Moscow denied responsibility, calling the accusations “absurd speculations.”

Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes earlier this month before NATO aircraft intercepted them. In Poland, NATO jets shot down multiple drones attributed to Russia. Romania also accused Moscow of drone incursions, claims which Russia dismissed as a Ukrainian provocation.

Danish authorities temporarily closed airspace over several airports late Thursday due to drone activity. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the situation as “a hybrid war unfolding on Danish soil,” while pointing to Russia as the primary threat. The Russian Embassy in Copenhagen rejected the claim.

Admiral Cavo Dragone told reporters after the Riga meeting that NATO’s response would be firm and consistent. “Every threat to NATO’s air, land, and sea space will be dealt with a resolute and proportionate response. We are ready. There must be no doubt about it. We do not seek confrontation, but we will not hesitate to undertake any actions deemed necessary for our collective defense,” he said

Baltic Push for Stronger Protection

Baltic leaders used the Riga conference to push for stronger NATO commitments. Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said Vilnius has prepared a position paper advocating for a shift from the current Baltic air policing mission to a full air defense mission. The plan includes additional assets such as ground-based air defense systems, sensors, and detectors.

Latvian Defense Chief Kaspars Pudans called the recent airspace violations part of a broader campaign aimed at destabilization. “To be clear, NATO and NATO Latvia are prepared to defend every single centimeter of NATO territory. Our national and regional defense plans are structured around the principle of fight,” he said, adding that “While we hope for peace, we prepare for war, because preparation is the surest path to readiness.”

Admiral Cavo Dragone confirmed that discussions about mission upgrades remain under consideration but emphasized that decisions would depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations. “This could be an option, depending on what the final assessment is,” he stated.

NATO’s Response and Measures

NATO has maintained air policing missions over the Baltic States since 2004, scrambling jets to intercept unauthorized aircraft approaching or entering Allied airspace. Following the incidents in Poland earlier this month, NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry, aimed at strengthening defenses along the Alliance’s eastern flank.

Despite these measures, Baltic officials insist more must be done. Rinkevics reiterated that NATO’s deterrence depends on credible readiness to act across all domains. “Russia continues a pattern of provocations, most recently recklessly violating the airspace of Poland and Estonia,” he said, urging faster transformation of air policing into a more robust defensive framework.

The Riga meeting underscored NATO’s determination to adapt to a shifting security environment defined by hybrid tactics, drone incursions, and contested airspace. While leaders emphasized that NATO does not seek confrontation, they stressed that the Alliance will not hesitate to respond to threats against its members.

The Military Committee will next convene in Brussels in January 2026, continuing work on defense planning, new technologies, and collective readiness. In the meantime, Allied officials say the incidents across Eastern Europe will be closely monitored as NATO reassesses its long-term defense posture.