SNMG1 and Polish Navy conduct naval exercises in Baltic Sea

SNMG1 commander with Polish Navy Staff communications officer on HDMS Niels Juel. Credit: MARCOM - Allied Maritime Command.

Standing Nato Maritime Group One (SNMG1) has joined forces with the Polish Navy to conduct several days of naval exercises in the Baltic Sea.

SNMG1 currently comprises vessels from Denmark, Canada and Germany. It is responsible for routine patrolling in the Baltic Sea, and providing regular opportunities to improve interoperability among the allied nations.

Since January this year, the Nato group has trained with several allied counterparts in the Baltic Region, including Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia.

Poland has organised a second Passing Exercise.

SNMG1 commander commodore Søren Thinggaard Larsen said: “The SNMG1 units, my staff, and I are looking forward to participating in this training opportunity.

“The Polish Navy has pulled out a lot of resources to set up a complex scenario and are providing surface and air forces.”

During the naval exercises, both SNMG1 and the Polish Navy will carry out multiple basic and advanced maritime operations, ranging from facing asymmetrical threats to warfare against surface ships, helicopters and fighter aircraft. The navy will also conduct a simulated joint search and rescue operation.

Larsen added: “With both European ships as well as a Canadian frigate, the presence of SNMG1 in the Baltic is a tangible sign of the transatlantic ties in Nato.

“Every exercise we conduct with the regional allies enhances our ability to work together across nations. In Nato, we are ready, as one, and we are stronger together.”

The Polish Navy’s 3rd Ship Flotilla will deploy two air-defence frigates out of Gdynia, as well as two corvettes, an anti-submarine corvette, a fast attack craft, a tanker and auxiliary vessels to participate in the exercise.

Air patrols will be carried out by the An-28 B1R patrol reconnaissance aircraft, Kaman SH-2G on-board helicopter and the W-3 WARM rescue helicopter.