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Allies integrate Critical Undersea Infrastructure monitoring into mine warfare exercise Sandy Coasts 25

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Aug 28 2025

Delfzijl, The Netherlands -- Allied mine countermeasures ships and dive teams shifted focus to monitoring Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI) while sharpening their skills in maritime security during Exercise Sandy Coasts 25.

The annual exercise challenges Allied navies in key areas such as naval Mine warfare, harbour protection, and naval cooperation and guidance for shipping (NCAGS). This year, the addition of CUI monitoring and protection enhanced the scope of training, allowing these capabilities to be tested and refined throughout the two-week exercise, which began on 15 August 2025.

Nations taking part included the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Estonia and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1). The NATO task group was reinforced by Dutch Minehunter Willemstad and Belgian Minehunter Lobelia.

Sandy Coasts is an annual exercise, hosted on a rotational basis by Belgium and the Netherlands. This year the exercise was led by the Dutch Navy off the port of Delfzijl, and in the North Sea above the Wadden Islands of Terschelling, Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog.

There was additional focus on Groningen's Eemshaven, which serves as a vital logistical hub for Host Nation Support to NATO allies. In the event of a military deployment, the port would play a crucial role in the reception, staging, and onward movement of equipment and personnel. Ensuring the security of this harbor is essential, making its protection a key part of Exercise Sandy Coasts 25.

Exercise Sandy Coast continues to play a crucial role in strengthening partnerships and enhancing the capabilities necessary to ensure safe and secure seas.

SNMCMG1 is one of NATO's four standing maritime task groups under the operational control of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). These task groups form the core maritime capability of NATO's Allied Reaction Force (ARF) and provide a continuous maritime capability to execute NATO missions across the spectrum of operations, demonstrating solidarity and strengthening the bond and interoperability between Allied naval forces. SNMCMG1 ships have played an integral role in Baltic Sentry, NATO's enhanced vigilance activity in the Baltic Sea aimed at protecting CUI.

Allied Maritime Command (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