The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence is undertaking a mine-clearing operation in the Baltic Sea, Open Spirit 2010, which began on 27 August and will continue until 8 September.

The Lithuanian Naval Force (LNF) is hosting the exercise with a total of 16 warships and three diving teams from ten different countries, according to the Baltic Times.

The three ships; the M52 Suduvis mine sweeper, and P11 Žemaitis and P14 Aukštaitis patrol ships, will represent the LNF.

Open Spirit 2010 aims to reduce the threat by naval mines and unexploded ammunition that remains on the Baltic seafloor from WWI and WWII, a ministry press release said.

The first international mine-clearance operation in Lithuania’s exclusive economic zone was held in May 2008.

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