How do you respond to threats on and from the sea? How do allies strengthen cooperation? And how do you deter adversaries together? These were the key challenges navies addressed during Baltops, a two-week maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea.
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Snellius participated as the flagship of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). The Dutch Defence Diving Group also took part. The exercise involved a total of 9000 troops, forty ships, and 25 aircraft from seventeen countries and concluded on 20 June.
The exercise covered a wide range of maritime operations including amphibious landings, anti-submarine warfare, replenishment at sea, manoeuvre drills, use of unmanned systems, air defence, and mine countermeasures.
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Sabotage protection
One of SNMCMG1’s tasks was to neutralise explosives at sea and prevent sabotage of undersea infrastructure, such as seabed communication cables. As a hydrographic survey vessel, Snellius provided critical support by mapping seabed changes.
The Defence Diving Group trained in mine disposal in shallow waters – areas inaccessible to minehunters. For this, divers used advanced technology such as the Remus underwater drone.
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Shooting range
‘With Baltops 25, NATO shows that we are ready to operate in the Baltic Sea if needed — and that we are credible,’ says Lieutenant Junior Grade Tijs aboard the Snellius. ‘This tactical scenario involved realistic operations from all participating countries. Despite different approaches, we learned to cooperate well and built real bonds.’
Tijs highlighted the unique value of Baltops for the navy. ‘Some parts of the exercise are not possible in the Netherlands. Denmark, for example, has a live-fire “shooting range” at sea, where ships can engage drones with live ammunition.’
Baltops is an annual exercise.
Picture: HNLMS Snellius with a diving team in the foreground (photo by Dutch Ministry of Defence).
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