Improving cyber resilience of frontline forces in Europe
Enhancing allied cyber defences through multinational Exercise Baltic Mule.
International participants in Exercise Baltic Mule. MOD Crown copyright
Exercise Baltic Mule was a joint UK and Poland led exercise to reduce the cyber vulnerabilities of frontline military activity and ensure we can protect against future threats. The exercise helped to improve frontline units’ ability to withstand cyberattacks and continue their missions even when facing sophisticated cyber threats.
International participants gathered in Poland for the exercise – including from Canada, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the UK, and the USA – a clear demonstration of the strength of our international cyber partnerships.
Exercise Baltic Mule was the first cyber mission assurance exercise to primarily focus on vulnerabilities within the forward land forces in Eastern Europe. These multinational forces protect the Baltic nations from aggression, as well as train together to improve integration amongst NATO allies.
The exercise explored how we make sure military supply plans are secure. Military experts from all the nations involved spent three days analysing potential threats to supply lines and communication systems, resulting in a comprehensive list of solutions and advice to address these threats. Such findings will be instrumental in refining the plans of the forward land forces and providing recommendations to present at the next Cyber Commanders Forum in September.
Exercise Baltic Mule played an important role in a move towards a more cyber-resilient force. As the cyber threats we face become increasingly sophisticated and frequent, Strategic Command will continue to work ever more closely with our NATO allies to defend against these threats. Exercises like Baltic Mule make sure the UK and our allies are better equipped to protect current and future military activity from cyber threats.