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The Belgian frigate Louise-Marie joined the NATO mission in the Baltic Sea aimed at enhancing deterrence operations and conducting joint exercises with NATO partners in the Baltic Sea and near the Russian border.

According to reports from Belgian sources, Louise-Marie departed from the Zeebrugge naval base with a crew of approximately 130 to 140 personnel for a two-month deployment. This mission comes amid growing security concerns in the region, particularly surrounding the Baltic Sea, which has seen increasing incidents of underwater infrastructure damage and heightened tensions near Russia’s borders.

The deployment is divided into two phases. In the first phase, Louise-Marie will join NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” mission, a key operation aimed at safeguarding submarine infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The second phase will see the frigate participating in NATO’s “Joint Viking” exercise in Norway, which will be conducted near the Russian border. The exercise is designed to enhance the ability of allied forces to deter potential threats in the region and to reinforce the alliance’s collective defense capabilities.

Belgium’s Navy Commander, Jan Gacas, emphasized the flexibility of the mission, noting that the Belgian vessel’s deployment is driven by NATO’s strategic needs. “We adopt a very flexible attitude and get information through NATO on where we are needed,” Gacas explained.

The Belgian navy commander highlighted, “By training with others, we increase our readiness. This is how we keep acting at a high level.” These remarks underscore the importance of joint training exercises in maintaining operational readiness and ensuring effective cooperation between NATO forces.

Baltic Sentry mission

The Baltic Sentry mission, which the frigate is currently joining, was launched by NATO in January in response to growing concerns over security in the Baltic Sea. The operation involves various naval assets, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, and is focused on protecting critical submarine infrastructure in the region.

#NATO announces Operation #BalticSentry in the #BalticSea to deter attacks on critical undersea infrastructure. It follows a declaration of solidarity between nations at the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit in Helsinki. #NATO stands ready to deter and defend against any threats to… pic.twitter.com/M4cL78GjyI

— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) January 14, 2025

The mission was initiated after several incidents late last year in which submarine cables and other underwater infrastructure between Finland and Estonia were damaged under suspicious circumstances. These incidents have raised concerns about possible sabotage activities, with authorities suspecting the involvement of a Russian “shadow fleet” operating illegally despite embargoes imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The damage to submarine cables and other infrastructure has had significant implications for regional security, as these networks are vital for communication, data transfer, and energy transmission between European nations. The alleged sabotage has further heightened tensions in a region already on edge due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s aggressive military posture. NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission is designed to mitigate these risks and ensure the protection of critical maritime infrastructure in this sensitive area.

Joint Viking exercise

As part of NATO’s broader strategy to deter potential threats from Russia, the second phase of Louise-Marie’s deployment will involve participation in NATO’s Joint Viking exercise, which is set to take place in Norway near the Russian border.

This exercise aims to bring together allied forces from across Europe to conduct joint military training and improve interoperability in the face of potential regional threats. Joint Viking is a key component of NATO’s deterrence strategy, demonstrating the alliance’s resolve to defend its members and maintain peace in the region.

The involvement of the Louise-Marie in both the Baltic Sentry mission and the Joint Viking exercise underscores NATO’s growing commitment to strengthening its maritime and defense capabilities in the face of an increasingly unpredictable security environment. With tensions between NATO countries and Russia at an all-time high, these joint efforts serve as a clear message of solidarity and readiness to defend the alliance’s interests.

Louise-Marie Frigate

The Louise-Marie is a Karel Doorman-class multipurpose frigate that is well-equipped for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air warfare. With a maximum speed of 54 km/h, the vessel is capable of operating with a combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion system, allowing it to cover vast distances and respond swiftly to security challenges.

The frigate underwent a major upgrade in 2014, which included improvements to its sensors and operational interfaces, further enhancing its effectiveness in complex security environments.

The Belgian Navy’s commitment to NATO’s missions is not new, as Louise-Marie has participated in several high-profile operations in the past. These include the European Union’s Atalanta mission, which targets piracy off the Horn of Africa, as well as NATO’s Active Endeavour, a counter-terrorism operation in the Mediterranean. With this extensive operational background, Louise-Marie brings valuable experience and capability to NATO’s security efforts in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

Focus on the Baltic Sea

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO has increased its presence and operation in the Baltic Sea, as the region has become a hotbed for naval activities. Earlier last week, NATO naval forces conducted an Unmanned Surface Vehicle Demonstration in the Baltic Sea as a preparation for NATO’s Dynamic Messenger series exercise in September that focuses on operational experimentation and the integration of unmanned systems into the maritime domain.

The Demonstration included tactical maneuvering between manned and unmanned assets and live-fire events that tested the interoperability of unmanned surface vessels with a maritime task group. Participating surface ships also conducted counter-UXV training along with the demonstration.

A statement released by the NATO Allied Maritime Command said that “successful integration of unmanned systems into NATO’s Standing Naval Forces will result from both the Allies’ national development and spiral development of these capabilities within the Alliance.”

Commander of Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral Mike Utley said, “This demonstration highlights the Alliance’s ability to trial and integrate unmanned systems into the networked operational environment.”

“The successful integration of unmanned systems into NATO’s Standing Naval Forces will result from both Allies’ national development and spiral development of these capabilities within the Alliance. Operational output is the requirement. These trials enable learning and insights to deliver greater speed and scale of integration, further building the military advantage of the Alliance,” Vice Admiral Utley added.