To improve vigilance in the Baltic Sea region, NATO launched a new maritime mission on 20 January. Baltic Sentry is to ensure, among other things, the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, such as energy and data cables. The Royal Netherlands Navy is providing three ships for this purpose.
On the eastern flank of the NATO treaty area, Dutch land force ground troops and Air Force F-35 fighters are already active. Thanks to Baltic Sentry, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is now also providing official NATO deployment from the sea.
The mission follows possible sabotage operations in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia. There, some cables were damaged late last month. Both countries are leading the investigations that are now taking place.
Also read: Two subsea cables damaged in Baltic Sea
Luymes and Tromp
HNLMS Luymes and HNLMS Tromp contribute to Baltic Sentry from their current deployments to NATO fleet deployments. The hydrographic survey vessel Luymes is currently the flagship of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. The Tromp fulfils that role for Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. HNLMS Schiedam will also join next week. The intention is for the ships to fulfil a role for Baltic Sentry at least until the end of February.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral René Tas: ‘With this contribution, we show our determination to step up our efforts. We are making our presence and vigilance known and thus securing our submarine infrastructure. It is essential for the Alliance to prevent destabilising activities by deterrence on the one hand and by taking action when deterrence proves ineffective on the other.’
Also read: Dutch frigate Tromp to lead NATO fleet
Largest deployment in decades
With the deployment of the navy, the Dutch deployment on the eastern flank has not been this large for decades. 4 Royal Air Force F-35s have been operating from Estonia for some time. They keep Russian aircraft from entering NATO treaty territory.
Army soldiers have also been in the area for some time. These are part of the enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania. The Netherlands has been providing around 270 soldiers for this battlegroup since 2017.
Picture: HNLMS Luymes and HNLMS Tromp contribute to Baltic Sentry (photo Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: NATO launches mission to protect subsea infrastructure
