Lithuanian Army Lt. Gen. Remigijus Baltrėnas is the new director general of the NATO International Military Staff, the alliance announced Monday. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Janusz Adamczak of Poland, officially taking over the position on Thursday following his election by the NATO Chiefs of Defence in September 2024.
During a welcome ceremony in Brussels, Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee Lt. Gen. Andrew Rohling described Baltrėnas as a proud Lithuanian whose career has spanned national and multinational commands. Rohling said Baltrėnas’ experience across tactical and strategic domains is critical amid today’s evolving security landscape.
In his remarks, Baltrėnas thanked the committee and pledged to uphold the effectiveness of the IMS. “The greatest strength, treasure and success of the IMS are its military and civilian personnel,” he said. “I have no doubt that they will all continue contributing to the alliance with the greatest dedication.”
Baltrėnas brings over 30 years of military experience to the role. He currently serves as chief of the defense staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and previously held multiple key assignments, including as the Lithuanian military representative to NATO and the European Union and director of Lithuania’s Defence Intelligence and Security Service. His career also includes a stint as the operations and training chief of the Motorized Infantry Brigade “Iron Wolf,” the core unit of the Lithuanian Army.
As director general, Baltrėnas will oversee coordination between NATO’s decision-making bodies, strategic commands, national military staff and civilian international staff. As the alliance’s military executive body, the IMS prepares assessments and provides military policy advice to the Military Committee, which, in turn, advises the North Atlantic Council. The IMS includes around 500 military and civilian personnel based at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.