Baltic Sea drills to focus for first time on repelling Russian attack

Germany’s navy chief, Vice-Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, announced on Friday that major naval drills are about to begin in the Baltic Sea. These drills, which involve approximately 30 ships and over 3,000 Western service members, will practice how to respond to a potential Russian assault in the region, marking the first time such a scenario is included in the training. Kaack stated that the purpose of these exercises is to send a strong message of vigilance to Russia, emphasizing that credible deterrence must include the ability to attack.

The Northern Coasts exercise is scheduled to start on September 9 and will last for two weeks. It will bring together troops from all NATO countries located on the Baltic Sea, as well as Sweden (which will soon become a member) and non-Baltic allies such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The training will focus on amphibious operations and strikes from sea to land.

Kaack also disclosed that the United States navy will participate by sending the Mesa Verde, which is a ship over 200 meters in length specifically designed for transporting and landing around 800 marines during amphibious assaults. Additionally, the exercises will prioritize securing the sea routes through the Baltic Sea, a critical aspect for Finland and the Baltic states. Kaack highlighted the vulnerability of the Suwalki Gap, a narrow land corridor of approximately 65 kilometers, which represents the sole connection between the Baltic states and Poland/the main NATO territory in Europe. He explained that blocking this area would force reliance solely on sea routes, thereby making it essential to practice navigating through them effectively.

This exercise will mark the first time that the German navy commands an operation of this scale from its new maritime headquarters in Rostock. The facility is intended to become a regional maritime headquarters for NATO, capable of leading the alliance’s operations in the Baltic Sea during times of conflict. Kaack revealed that Germany has already notified NATO’s supreme allied commander, known as SACEUR, about their intentions and expects a positive response, potentially beating Poland to the task.

Recent developments, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have significantly changed the strategic landscape in the Baltic Sea region. Finland joined NATO this year, and Sweden’s application to join is anticipated to be approved soon. As a result, the entire seashore, with the exception of Russia’s small stretches of coast, will soon be under the control of NATO members. These factors underpin the importance of conducting large-scale military exercises and improving readiness to respond to potential threats.