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NATO boosts defence readiness in North Baltic Sea during Exercise Freezing Winds

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Nov 26 2025

NORTHERN BALTIC SEA -- The ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) returned to Finnish waters to participate in the annual multinational joint exercise Freezing Winds 25. Ships assigned to the group will assemble in Turku, Finland, before setting sail for the Gulf of Finland, off the southern coast of Finland in the Northern Baltic Sea.

The Baltic Sea's harsh winter conditions pose unique challenges, demanding precision and adaptability from participating forces. Through rigorous training and realistic scenarios, Exercise Freezing Winds ensures that naval units are ready to respond to a range of dynamic threats - from maritime attacks to disruptions of vital sea lines of communication (SLOC).

"Exercise Freezing Winds underscores the strategic importance of joint training in the northern Baltic Sea region, where challenging conditions demand high-end capabilities and seamless interoperability. Operating alongside one of NATO's newest members, the Finnish Armed Forces, SNMCMG1 is eager to stengthen collective defense through multi-layered maritime scenarios," said Commander Jānis Auce (Latvian Navy), Commander of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. "This exercise not only reinforces our operational coordination but also highlights our shared readiness and commitment to maintaining safety and security throughout the region".

As a central component of NATO's commitment to regional security, Freezing Winds unites maritime forces from numerous Allied and Partner nations. This large-scale, Finnish-led defence exercise brings together combat, support, and transport vessels, alongside fighter jets, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and roughly 5,000 personnel from across the Alliance.

In today's evolving security landscape, NATO remains vigilant throughout the Baltic Sea region. The protection of sea lines of communication and critical infrastructure is a top priority for Finnish and Allied naval forces. By maintaining a persistent presence and demonstrating operational readiness, Finland and its NATO partners stand united in their commitment to uphold peace, safety, and resilience across the region.

"NATO remains vigilant in the Baltic Sea, ensuring security and stability in this strategically important region. The Finnish Navy, together with our NATO Allies, has demonstrated the ability to conduct joint maritime operations swiftly and effectively, underscoring our shared commitment to readiness and cooperation," said Captain (N) Marko Laaksonen, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Finnish Navy.

The combined military capabilities of the Finnish Defence Forces and NATO Allies highlight the strength of the Alliance's collective defence. Through joint exercises, these forces enhance interoperability, reinforce regional security, and increase Allies' understanding of the maritime environment.

Maintaining freedom of navigation and safeguarding key maritime areas are essential to the interests of Allied nations. NATO forces remain prepared to respond swiftly and decisively, ensuring stability and providing credible deterrence throughout the Baltic Sea region.

In recent months, NATO's Baltic Sentry enhanced vigilance activity has significantly improved surveillance and monitoring across the Baltic Sea, responding to rising tensions and increased threats to critical infrastructure. This proactive, coordinated effort strengthens the protection of vital undersea assets, improves maritime situational awareness, and deters hostile activity. Since Baltic Sentry began in January 2025, there have been no maligned damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sentry underscores NATO's unwavering commitment to security and resilience in a region facing an increasingly complex operating environment.

SNMCMG1 provides continuous maritime mine countermeasures (MCM) capabilities to execute NATO missions across the whole area of responsibility. It operates under Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces, and the MARCOM commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM