Riga Welcomes NATO Naval Task Group
NATO Allied Maritime Command
Aug 20 2025
Riga, Latvia -- Two NATO vessels have arrived in the port of Riga, Latvia, for a routine visit, underscoring the Alliance's ongoing maritime presence and support for the Baltic Sentry initiative. The Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) flagship, HNLMS De Ruyter, and the replenishment ship FGS Rhön will remain in Riga through the weekend.
SNMG1 is one of NATO's four standing naval maritime groups, providing a continuous and credible presence in key regions, including the Baltic Sea. The group operates as a high-readiness force capable of conducting a wide-range of operations, from collective defence to deterrence and crisis response.
During their time in Riga, the ships' crew will engage with Latvian naval counterparts, strengthening cooperation and regional partnerships. The visit underscores NATO's unwavering commitment to Latvia's security and its broader responsibility to safeguard the Baltic Sea region.
"NATO's presence in Latvia is a tangible symbol of our commitment to the security of this region," said Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Arjen Warnaar, Commander SNMG1. "We are here to show that NATO is united, present, and ready."
SNMG1 is currently supporting Baltic Sentry, as NATO assets closely monitor and protect Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI). This continuous activity increases maritime situational awareness and information sharing among Allies, deterring threats to subsea cables, pipelines, and other infrastructure essential to regional security.
While in port, FGS Rhön and HNLMS De Ruyter will also conduct logistical resupply and crew rest before resuming operations at sea. The visit follows recent SNMG1 patrols in the High North and Barents Sea, demonstrating NATO's operational reach from the Arctic to the Baltic.
Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM
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