Undersea infrastructure, including data cables, electricity connectors and pipelines, is vital for our societies. During exercise Freezing Winds, NATO Allies exercised off the coast of Finland to enhance the surveillance and protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
In the frigid cold waters off the coast of Finland, NATO Allies gathered for Freezing Winds 24 – an exercise in the protection of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI), such as gas and oil pipelines and internet cables.
Also read: NATO exercise kicks off in the North Sea
Van Amstel and Willemstad
Exercise Freezing Winds ran from 20 until 29 November 2024. Participating nations included: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
For the Netherlands, multi-purpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel and mine countermeasure vessel HNLMS Willemstad took part. The Van Amstel left the Netherlands at the end of August to take part in Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). The Willemstad left from Zeebrugge in September and was part of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). Both vessels returned to Dutch naval port Den Helder on 5 December.
Also read: VIDEO: NATO tests flying, sailing and diving drones in Portugal
Uncrewed underwater vehicles
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) trained in using uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) to survey the seabed and identify simulated threats to CUI. The exercise involved more than 4000 personnel from fifteen allies and more than thirty naval vessels, including those from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1).
The footage below includes shots of the Finnish Navy preparing for the deployment of dummy sea mines, the deployment of UUVs and soundbites from Commander Beata Krol, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One, Commander Thomas Rasmussen, Standing NATO Maritime Group One and a Mine Warfare Officer from the Finnish Navy.
Picture and video by NATO.
Also read: Dutch navy sends two ships for Standing NATO fleet
