Home  /  Newsroom  /  2023  /  Netherlands support NATO information exchange in the Baltic Sea region

RAMSTEIN, Germany – The Royal Netherlands Air Force has deployed a National Data Link Management Cell (NDMC) to Rukla in Lithuania for the next months to ensure NATO Allies deployed in the Baltic region can exchange and share operational information.

Our intention is to contribute to the tactical data link network that is crucial for NATO’s air operations in the region

“We deployed the NDMC at the request of Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany,” said General Onno Eichelsheim, the Netherlands Chief of Defence. “Our intention is to contribute to the tactical data link network that is crucial for NATO’s air operations in the region; I also see the opportunity to work with Lithuania through knowledge transfer so that this country can build its own data link management capacity,” he added.

Members of the Royal Netherlands Air Force operating the NDMC out of the Baltic Regional Interface Control Cell (BRICC) in Rukla, Lithuania. 
Photo courtesy Royal Netherlands Air Force. 

Also known as military Wifi, Link 16 operations are used by NATO forces to transmit and exchange real-time tactical data across different networks. 
Photo  courtesy Dutch National Data Link Management Cell. 

Transmitting and exchanging tactical data fast and in a secure manner is key to Allied air operations in support of deterrence and defence missions over NATO territory.
Photo courtesy Portuguese Air Force. 

The NDMC supports so-called Link 16 operations; it operates as the Baltic Regional Interface Control Cell (BRICC), callsign “Time Bandit”. The BRICC enables planning, coordinating, managing and controlling Link 16 networks that allows weapon platforms and units to exchange information during operations. The container-based equipment offers a deployable capability worldwide wherever needed. 

The Dutch NDMC will remain deployed in support of NATO air operations in the Baltic region until next year when Germany is scheduled to deploy a similar unit that will ensure seamless information exchange enabling NATO’s deterrence and defence mission along the eastern flank.