NATO bolsters Baltic Sea patrols amid Russian threat
NATO has launched a mission to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure on the Baltic Sea floor. The operation follows previous incidents of interruptions to submarine cables, most likely planned by Russia. Here are the ships that will carry out this task.
The Alliance Maritime Command (MARCOM) under the leadership of the Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCBS) will play a central role in coordinating enduring presence operations throughout the region. NATO countries maintain a constant presence in the Baltic Sea, conducting regular patrols and joint exercises to enhance readiness.
Ships from the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) have been deployed to the Baltic Sentry mission. They will collaborate with other Alliance patrols operating under MARCOM and national support.
Additionally, the mission will include the participation of the new NATO Maritime Center for Critical Undersea Infrastructure Security (NMCSCUI) at MARCOM, which achieved initial operational readiness in May 2024. It will assist NATO allies in decision-making and coordinating actions related to protecting and responding to threats to critical underwater infrastructure.
The Baltic Sea is an important hub for commerce and energy transit, connecting many NATO countries. It serves as a channel for the supply of energy, natural gas, and oil, with key undersea cables running along its bottom, providing communication between numerous countries. With increasing dependence on underwater cables and pipelines, protecting this critical infrastructure is a constant priority for NATO.
NATO ships guarding the Baltic Sea
The NATO ships deployed for the Baltic Sentry mission include the Dutch frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803) for the SNMG1 group and the hydrographic unit HNLMS Luymes (A803), along with the German mine countermeasure vessel FGS Datteln M1068.
The frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803), commissioned in 2003, is a vessel with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes, equipped with a comprehensive set of sensors, from radars to infrared optoelectronic heads, and a hull-mounted sonar.
It also has a fairly strong armament that includes a Leonardo (formerly Otobreda) 127/54 Compact naval gun capable of striking targets at a range of approximately 30 kilometres with standard ammunition or even up to 100 kilometres with guided sub-caliber Vulcano shells. Furthermore, the frigate is equipped with 40 vertical launch system (VLS) cells with room for 32 SM-2 anti-aircraft missiles or RIM-162 ESSM and eight A/R/UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Additionally, it has two 533 mm torpedo tubes, 1/2 Goalkeeper CIWS self-defence systems with seven-barrel 30 mm guns, and a landing deck for an NH90 NFH helicopter equipped for locating and combating submarines.
The hydrographic vessels like HNLMS Luymes (A803), also introduced into service in 2003, have less impressive armament. They primarily have a pair of large-calibre Browning M2 machine guns for self-defence, but they are equipped with a rich set of various sensors and equipment for divers and robots for exploring the seabed, ensuring real-time information transmission.
The oldest unit is the German vessel FGS Datteln M1068, commissioned in 1994. It is armed with a Bofors 40 mm/L70 gun, two FIM-92 Stinger launchers, and two Pinguin B3 robots. These robots are approximately 3 metres long and weigh 1,000 kilograms, capable of operating at a depth of 200 metres.
