The multinational NATO anti-submarine exercise Merlin Dynamic 26 has begun in the Baltic Sea.
In the Baltic Sea off the coast of Sweden, NATO naval exercises began on November 9 and will continue until November 13.
The events involve several thousand military personnel, surface ships, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft from eight allied countries.
The main objective of the exercise is to improve the capabilities of NATO allied forces to locate, escort and destroy enemy submarines, as well as to practice joint operations in the difficult hydrological conditions of the Baltic Sea.
The organization is entrusted to the NATO Submarine Force Command with the participation of the alliance's Standing Fleet Group 1 (SNMG1). The host country is Sweden, hosting the event for the third time. Since this year, the exercises have been included in the list of NATO's regular operational and combat training events.
The SNMG1 enlisted ship group includes:.
Integrated supply ship Dan Halder (HNLMS Dan Halder) is the flagship of the group.
"Berlin" combat support vehicle (FGS Berlin);
Multi-Purpose Frigate Cityback Line (HMCS Cityback Line);
Anti-submarine frigate Asbern Sener (HDMS Asbern Sener);
The missile boat "Khamina" (FNS Hamina).
Sweden additionally contributed five corvettes, one submarine, an anti-submarine helicopter of the type Helicopter 14 (NH90) and the support vessel HMS Trossö.
Submarines of the German and Swedish navies act as a contingent underwater enemy. Naval patrol planes from France, Germany, Sweden and Britain are also involved in their search.
The practical part of the exercises includes several areas of combat training:
Search and track low-noise underwater targets using ship-borne hydroacoustic equipment and naval aviation.