NATO launched a naval drill in the Baltic Sea on Saturday. The drill features 30 ships and over 3,000 troops.
The statement from the alliance confirmed this. The exercise, named ‘Northern Coasts,’ will last two weeks.
It takes place mainly near Estonia and Latvia’s coastlines. Germany’s navy is leading the exercise.
Dylan White, a NATO spokesperson, highlighted the Baltic Sea’s importance. Seven NATO members surround this sea.
He also noted that Sweden could join soon. Turkey needs to give the final nod for that.
NATO has boosted its defensive stance due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. White stated that exercises like this show NATO’s readiness.
It aims to protect all allied areas.
Training in the next two weeks will cover various aspects. These include amphibious operations and air defense.
Troops will also practice land attacks from the sea and securing sea routes.
Personnel from 14 countries are taking part. The list includes Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, and Finland.
France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the U.S., and Sweden are also participating. Sweden is not yet a full NATO member.
Background
This exercise comes at a crucial time. Russia’s actions in Ukraine have changed the region’s security landscape.
NATO’s increased presence aims to counter this shift. The drill is one of the largest in the region, led by Germany.
This could signify Germany’s growing role within NATO.
Including Sweden is a noteworthy development. Although not a NATO member, Sweden’s participation signals expanding alliances.
Turkey’s pending approval for Sweden’s membership is also significant. It could indicate Turkey’s evolving stance on NATO expansion.
The diverse set of participating countries shows unity. It’s not just the major powers but also smaller countries taking part.
NATO Strength
This could boost NATO’s overall strength and readiness. Exercises like ‘Northern Coasts’ act as a deterrent.
They send a strong message to potential aggressors that NATO, which launched a naval drill in the Baltic Sea, stands united.
Such training ensures that the alliance is prepared for a range of challenges.