How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) on 9 April concluded the UK-led Joint Warrior exercise, which also involved vessels from Denmark, Germany, Norway and the US.
Designed to train submarine and surface vessel units to operate in different environments and improve knowledge of combat tactics, the exercise also supports the UK Submarine Commanders Course.
Alongside SNMG1, the USS Donald Cook and RFA Tideforce from the UK Royal Fleet Auxiliary also participated in Joint Warrior off the northwest coast of Scotland.
Cdre Yngve Skoglund, Commander of SNMG1, commented: ‘We are a component of the Very High Readiness Forces available to NATO and must be able to stay ready, even in times like this.’
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
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Australia’s selection of an upgraded Mogami-class frigate marks Japan’s first-ever export of a major surface combatant. With an ambitious 2029 delivery target, the deal could open the door to further naval exports – but inexperience and geopolitical friction with China loom large.