NATO to Conduct Large-Scale Exercises in the Baltic Sea

NATO and partner naval exercises will take place in the Baltic Sea, featuring about 30 ships and more than 3,000 Western troops, who will attempt to respond to potential Russian aggression for the first time. This announcement was made by the head of the German Navy, Jan Christian Kaack, as reported by Reuters.

“We are sending a clear signal to Russia to remain vigilant—not under our control,” he stated. “Strong deterrence must include the capability to strike.”

The two-week “Northern Coast” exercises, set to begin on September 9, will involve troops from all NATO countries stationed in the Baltic Sea, as well as Sweden, which is soon to become a member, and non-Baltic allies from the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. They will carry out amphibious operations and strikes from sea to land.

Additionally, another focus of the drills will be to secure maritime routes in the Baltic Sea in the event of a blockade of the Suwalki Gap.

“Finland and the Baltic states are almost 100% reliant on maritime supply routes through the Baltic Sea. If the Suwalki Gap is blocked, which can easily be done since there are only two roads and one railway line, we will only have sea routes available, and that is where we need to pass later,” Kaack explained.