Seven NATO Allies Hone Skills On Baltic Exercise

Live gunnery and formation navigation drills were among the activities pursued by a dozen warships from seven NATO nations during a German-led MCM exercise in the Baltic Sea.

As per a press statement by Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the central command of all NATO maritime forces, half the participating flotilla was made up of ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1).

The remaining vessels were from the German-led Commander Baltic Naval Squadron (COMBALTRON). The Baltic MCM exercise spanned two weeks and concluded at the start of the month.

It had kicked off with formation navigation and replenishment-at-sea approaches, testing the participants’ ability to work seamlessly in a complex maritime environment.

Live gunnery exercises included both fixed targets and air-defence scenarios; while practising flag-based manoeuvring reinforced visual methods of coordination in radio-silent environments. There were also simulated damage control and firefighting drills.

“This wasn’t only about mine countermeasures—it was about building a reliable, responsive team at sea,” said Commander Erik Kockx, Commander Task Group of SNMCMG1.

“Exercises like Baltic MCM strengthen the operational muscle memory that lets us act fast, together, when it matters most.”

The Baltic MCM exercise formed part of NATO's ongoing Baltic Sentry mission. SNMCMG1 is one of four mission-ready NATO fleets coordinated from Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom, the central command of all NATO maritime forces. It operates mainly in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.

As well as its standing fleets, the Baltic Sentry mission to enhance the security of CUI is being backed by uncrewed systems. As per a recent NATO statement, Baltic Sentry will combine existing surface and subsea assets and maritime patrol aircraft with a range of new technologies “including a small fleet of naval drones.”

• You can read more details on the MARCOM website