NATO Exercises Commence in the Baltic Sea

Today, the traditional spring exercise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) named Open Spirit has commenced in the Baltic Sea, featuring 11 ships from 21 countries. The exercises are led by the Estonian Naval Forces, as reported by Delphi, referencing the Estonian Ministry of Defence.

“The annual Open Spirit operation holds significant importance for clearing the waters of the Baltic Sea from munitions accumulated since World War I and World War II, minimizing risks to fishing, maritime routes, and the environment. Additionally, it fosters cooperation between the Estonian Naval Forces and other countries participating in the exercises,” said Captain-Lieutenant Jan Vaichers, commander of NATO’s first permanent mine countermeasures squadron.

In the first half of this year, the main composition of the mine clearance team includes ships from Great Britain, Germany, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Estonia.

Open Spirit is conducted annually in various Baltic countries. In 2020, the operation was led by the Latvian Naval Forces, aiming to detect and eliminate explosive devices to improve navigation safety in the Baltic Sea.