NATO Deploys Ships To Baltic Sea For Summit In Lithuania

Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) includes flagship frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany), HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (The Netherlands) and the destroyer ITS Caio Duilio (Italy), all contributing to the maritime security in the Baltic.

SNMG1 patrols off the Lithuanian coastline in the Baltic Sea to provide situational awareness from the air and at sea. The German flagship frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern leads the Task Group, and together with two highly capable ships, the Netherlands’ HNLMS De Zeven Provincien and the Italian destroyer ITS Caio Duilio contribute to the NATO presence in the area.

This presence is part of the coordinated multi-domain deployment of NATO and Allied surface, sub-surface and air assets across the entire NATO area, from the High North and the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, delivering a balanced deterrent and highly responsive capability. The Task Group is in constant contact with all Allies and partners that operate in the area, including the Lithuanian Navy/Coast Guard, exchanging information and aligning the collective posture.

“Based on the experience we have gained during our deployment in the Baltic Sea over the past months, the task group is able to distinguish routine ship movements from anomalous activities. We are contributing to the security of the area, and we are ready to respond quickly across the full spectrum of operations, if needed.”

Rear Admiral Thorsten Marx, Commander of the Task Group

SNMG1 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that comprise the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF). To respond to contingency situations, additional forces can be added to this group, with the NATO command staff on board the Flagship capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.