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NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Visits Riga to Strengthen Baltic Sea Security

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Nov 17 2025

Riga, Latvia -- Ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) have arrived in Riga for a port visit, reaffirming NATO's ongoing presence and steadfast commitment to security and stability in the Baltic Sea region.

The group represents the multinational cooperation at the heart of NATO operations. While some ships spend time at port in Riga, others in the group remain at sea on other tasks.

The task group includes the Belgian minesweeper Primula, the French minesweeper Sagittaire, the German minesweeper Dillingen, the Latvian flagship LVNS Virsaitis, the Netherlands minesweeper Willemstad and the Polish minesweeper Necko.

During the port visit the Task Group Commander, Commander-in-Chief Jānis Auce will meet with Minister of Defence Andris Sprūdas and Commander of the Navy, Flotilla Admiral Māris Polencs. Discussions will focus on regional security developments and ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation between NATO and the Latvian defence forces.

SNMCMG1 continues to conduct NATO's enhanced vigilance activity, Baltic Sentry, focusing on the protection of underwater infrastructure and maritime routes in the region. A key part of the group's mission is the identification and neutralisation of historical naval mines, which directly contributes to safer navigation and maritime security across the Baltic Sea.

"Since the beginning of September, when we began performing tasks in the Baltic Sea, one of our priorities has been the performance of Baltic Sentry tasks. These tasks are fraught with challenges, they are at times very dynamic processes that require detailed planning, coordination and the attraction of large resources," said Commander-in-Chief Jānis Auce.

He believes mutual cooperation has strengthened, and there is now a common understanding of the situation among NATO countries in the Baltic Sea region. "Now we can truly say that we are all working towards the fulfillment of common goals and tasks," he said.

The Latvian Navy assumed command of SNMCMG1 from the Belgian Navy in July 2025, taking command of the multinational headquarters on board the Navy's flagship, the headquarters and supply ship LVNS Virsaitis (A53). She serves as the command ship and provides the group's headquarters and command and control capabilities at sea.

This is the second time that Latvia has been entrusted with leading NATO's SNMCMG1 group. The first time was in 2017, confirming NATO's trust in the professionalism, competence and ability of the Latvian Navy to ensure the execution of strategically important tasks in strengthening NATO's collective security.

Standing NATO Maritime Groups operate under the operational control of Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the central hub for maritime security coordination within the Alliance. Together, these forces provide a continuous and credible presence at sea, ensuring that NATO remains ready and able to respond to evolving maritime challenges.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM