OEIRAS, Portugal - Led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S. Sixth Fleet and orchestrated by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) from its headquarters in Portugal, BALTOPS 24 marked a significant milestone in NATO's maritime history.
BALTOPS 24 bolstered Allied capabilities and reaffirmed NATO's pivotal role as the cornerstone of European security and stability
Ending on June 20, this maritime-focused multi-domain exercise brought together 20 nations, including Sweden, participating for the first time as a full-fledged NATO member. Allied forces engaged in a diverse array of operations at sea, in the air and on land, from complex amphibious manoeuvres to precision air and naval gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and sophisticated mine clearance.
“BALTOPS24 also saw an unprecedented number of air, land and maritime assets operating together in the Baltic Sea region,“ said Finnish Air Force Major Tapio Yli-Nisula, BALTOPS point of contact at NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem, that planned and executed all flight BALTOPS movements. “Around 600 diverse air sorties have been conducted, involving fixed wing, rotary wing and remotely piloted aerial system assets, operating from both land and sea, delivering combined effect in the air for mutual training benefit,” he added.
Notable advancements this year included the deployment of unmanned vehicles, next generation logistical management systems, and innovative amphibious tactics, underscoring NATO's agility and preparedness in addressing contemporary security challenges. Each year, BALTOPS serves as a laboratory of innovation, exemplifying a 21st-century Alliance that continuously adapts and evolves, integrating future technologies into present operations and fostering cutting-edge developments among Allied nations.
Allied forces engaged in a diverse array of operations at sea, in the air and on land, from complex amphibious manoeuvres to precision air and naval gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and sophisticated mine clearance during BALTOPS 24. Photos courtesy STRIKFORNATO & by Andy Martinez & Spanish Air Force.
BALTOPS 24 underscored NATO's steadfast commitment to safeguarding the freedom of navigation in the Baltic Sea—an essential conduit for global maritime trade and energy routes. Ensuring these vital waterways remain open, secure, and accessible is crucial for sustaining economic prosperity and regional stability for NATO's one billion citizens.
As BALTOPS 24 draws to a close, NATO renews its pledge to collective defence and shared security. The exercise not only bolstered Allied capabilities but also reaffirmed NATO's pivotal role as the cornerstone of European security and stability.