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News | 10-06-2024 | 09:41
In the coming weeks, seven ships of the Royal Navy will be present in the Baltic Sea. The Netherlands is taking part in BALTOPS together with 19 NATO partners. This is NATO’s largest annual exercise in the region. This year, the Netherlands is responsible for the various international (fleet) units. The exercise started on Friday and will last until June 20.
In total, these countries have around 9,000 military personnel, more than 50 naval vessels and around 85 flight units. The aim of the exercise is to contribute to regional maritime security and stability. In addition, the exercise ensures closer cooperation with the Baltic States. For example, amphibious operations are carried out jointly. In this way, the exercise contributes to the preparedness of NATO member states.
Amphibious Task Force
The Netherlands leads one of the four amphibious task groups during BALTOPS. The Netherlands Maritime Forces (NLMARFOR) has been delegated for this purpose. This is a composite deployable and combatant force consisting of fleet forces and marines. During BALTOPS, they lead the Marines, the German Army See CampBritish Royal Marine Commandoit United States Marine Corps, Swedish Marines and a Polish unit.
“BALTOPS provides us with the opportunity to train together as NATO members, to strengthen our mutual relations, but most importantly to show that we are ready. This means that we can not only operate at sea, but also in the air and on land. In the coming weeks, the Netherlands will be able to lead one of the four amphibious task groups in this exercise and we will see all the forces involved in action,” said Arjen Warnaar, Commander of the Netherlands Maritime Forces.
Mine Countermeasures Operations
The Netherlands also contributes to mine action. Some anti-mine forces are led by the Netherlands. The delegation is therefore large. These are the mine hunters Zr.Ms. Willemstad, Zr.Ms. Makkum, Zr.Ms. Zierikzee and the support ship MV Geosea.
The opportunity is also used to provide future naval officers with practical experience in sea service. The torpedo work ship Zr.Ms. Mercury, the patrol ship Zr.Ms. Holland and the Defence Diving Team complete the existing Dutch contribution.
Edition 53
This is the first time Sweden has participated as a NATO member. The 53rd BALTOPS is fully managed by the United States. Other participants include Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey.
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