NATO has deployed a flotilla off Estonia’s coast as the military alliance works to safeguard European undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea from potential sabotage.
The deployment is part of the Baltic Sentry, a mission to protect critical undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea amid growing concerns over sabotage. The operation, launched last week, involves the deployment of naval drones capable of detecting and responding to underwater threats, maritime patrol aircraft and frigates.
#NATO is ready to defend critical underwater infrastructure in the #BalticSea. Op #BalticSentry deploys #SNMG1 & #SNMCMG1, maritime patrol aircraft & naval drones to increase our understanding of the maritime environment, improving Allies’ ability to deter, defend & respond to… pic.twitter.com/WmbhFfrVi3
— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) January 15, 2025
The crew of 🇩🇪FGS Datteln conduct a demonstration with their Seafox drone in the Baltic Sea on January 12th to showcase #SNMCMG1‘s at-sea capabilities. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/xy2yFRz8eL
— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) January 13, 2025
According to The Guardian, a Dutch frigate, a naval research vessel, and a German minesweeper have arrived in Tallinn to join the mission.
Meanwhile, news outlets from France reported that a French Atlantique 2 patrol aircraft participating in Baltic Sentry was locked onto by a Russian S-400 air defense system and subjected to jamming, which French officials called “unacceptable intimidation.”
FRANCE: RUSSIAN AIR DEFENSE LOCKED ONTO AIRCRAFT
A French Navy Atlantique 2 aircraft was locked onto by a Russian long-range air defense system while flying over the Baltic Sea last week, French authorities said.
“On Wednesday night, a French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol… pic.twitter.com/I0EVPW1Kpk
— Knightsbridge Research (@KBR_Intel) January 20, 2025
The Baltic Sentry mission follows incidents like the Christmas Day damage to Finland and Estonia’s Estlink 2 power cable, allegedly caused by an oil tanker, and the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in 2022.
