Major NATO Naval Drills Start in Finland and the Baltic Sea

A major NATO naval exercise, Freezing Winds-24, begins in Finland on Monday and will take place in the southern part of the country and the northern part of the Baltic Sea, the Finnish newspaper Demokraatti reports, citing the Finnish Navy.

‘In addition to the navy, the international naval exercises will be attended by the Finnish army, air force, logistics command of the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard, as well as a large number of allied forces,’ the report said.

The exercise will involve a total of approximately 30 warships, supply and support vessels, transport boats, as well as coastal and ground troops totalling approximately 4,000 people representing the armed forces of the United States, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In addition, two permanent detachments of NATO ships - SNMG1 and SNMCMG1 - are taking part in the exercise. Fighter jets, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft from the United States and France are also involved.

The purpose of the exercise is to practice an international naval operation off the coast of Finland and in the Baltic Sea, including maritime security, monitoring and protection of underwater infrastructure.

‘As Finland's integration into NATO deepens, Exercise Ice Winds has become an important part of NATO's operations in the Baltic Sea. We are practising working together to ensure the security of maritime communications and Finland's neighbouring area,’ said Commodore Marko Laaksonen, exercise commander.

US Marine Corps units and divers will support the US Navy Coast Guard. The Coast Guard's actions are concentrated in the area between the cities of Helsinki and Kotka. Some servicemen will also conduct exercises near the Kymi airport.

The Navy said in a statement that the environment in the immediate vicinity of Finland and the weather conditions in the Baltic Sea in late November provide unique conditions for NATO's collective defence exercise in the Baltic Sea.

‘At this time of year, the weather can change from Arctic snowfall to a water storm in autumn. The Alliance's interoperability must be ensured in all circumstances, so exercising in these unique conditions effectively supports our readiness,’ said Laaksonen.

The exercise will conclude on 29 November.