The Director General of NATO IMS addresses the NATO Defence College students at NATO HQ

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On 17 March 2026, the Director General of International Military Staff (DGIMS), Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas welcomed NATO Defence College students and leadership.

At NATO Headquarters, Senior Course and Regional Cooperation Course participants spent a day analysing and discussing defence and security cooperation priorities in a turbulent security environment, NATO military capabilities, the defence industry, military cooperation, the defence planning process, and the deterrence and defence of the Alliance.

Professional briefers from the NATO International Staff and International Military Staff brought wide and strategic perspectives for the participants. Historical and recent examples were discussed to provide ideas for the decisions of the officers and civilians in their future positions.

“One of my priorities in the International Military Staff is to ensure that the timely Military Committee advice is provided to the political side of NATO Headquarters. By maintaining the urgency and the speed of decision making, we are ensuring the space for negotiations and consensus building in this fast-changing security environment around the world.” - said Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrėnas.

He also emphasised how NATO deterrence and defence relies on Allied actions and different military activities like Baltic Sentry, Eastern Sentry and recently established Arctic Sentry. DGIMS stressed that every division in the NATO International Military Staff is working to ensure the 360-degree approach to military decision making.

Finally, he outlined that NATO in the changing security environment does not act alone, but relies on its partners: “Partnerships for NATO are truly paramount as they make NATO stronger. And we make sure that this is two-way street – partners are stronger, due to the partnership with the Alliance.”

The Director General is the head the International Military Staff (IMS). The IMS consists of a staff of approximately 500 military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The DGIMS is responsible to the Military Committee for the efficient and effective functioning of the IMS. The position is empowered to act on behalf of the Military Committee on routine matters, and, in case of urgency, to take executive action on its behalf within its established policies.