NATO Strengthens Underwater Protection with Baltic Sentry

Baltic Sentry, announced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 14 January 2025, comes after potential sabotage on several undersea pipelines and cables between NATO’s Baltic and Nordic Allies. While Allies are responsible for monitoring and guarding their territorial waters, Baltic Sentry leverages NATO’s standing maritime units in international waters to keep a close eye on maritime traffic and look for signs of suspicious behaviour.
SNMCMG1, currently led by the Royal Netherlands Navy, patrolled the Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden on 4 February 2025. Normally tasked with training to clear sea mines, the group is now using its powerful sensors and submarine drones to monitor CUI while scoping out passing traffic for signs of wrongdoing. Working with Standing NATO Maritime Group One, the Alliance’s squadron of frigates tasked to the Baltic Sea, the mine countermeasures group will give Allies the situational awareness they need to protect their CUI.
Footage includes shots of Royal Netherlands Navy ships patrolling near Denmark, as well as an interview with Lieutenant Commander Sander Klop, commanding officer of the HNLMS Schiedam.