NATO energy resilience exercise begins in Lithuania

International tabletop exercises to strengthen energy resilience on NATO’s north-eastern flank began in Lithuania on Monday, LRT reports. More than 100 representatives from NATO allies and partner countries are taking part in Coherent Resilience 2026, also known as CORE 26-NE.

Over the week, participants will examine energy security and resilience scenarios for the region. The exercise will focus particularly on Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Lithuania and Finland, the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence said.

Participants will assess the interdependence of regional electricity and gas networks, examine vulnerabilities in energy supply chains, and consider ways to improve the protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure. The exercises are also intended to support cooperation among experts and help develop coordinated responses to regional energy security challenges.

Jay Calvo, a US Air Force lieutenant colonel and head of the centre’s Training and Exercises Division, said the CORE exercises, held for more than a decade, provide a forum for expert discussions, risk assessments and coordinated solutions to regional energy security issues.

The exercises are organised by the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence, NATO’s Cyber and Digital Transformation Division, and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. CORE tabletop exercises have been held in different countries since 2014.