NATO is hunting submarines. “The bottom of the Baltic Sea is a mountain landscape”

Merlin exercises began in the Baltic Sea in the Stockholm archipelago on Monday, the aim of which is to “strengthen NATO's submarine hunting capabilities,” said the Swedish armed forces, the host of these operations.

Swedish and Belgian corvettes, as well as submarines from Sweden and Germany, set out for the Baltic Sea from the port of Frihamnen in Stockholm. – Sweden plays a significant role in maritime security in the Baltic Sea – said the commander of NATO submarine operations, American rear admiral Bret Grabbe.

The Swedish Navy recalled that the waters surrounding the Scandinavian Peninsula are characterized by “significant unevenness”.

The seabed can be compared to a mountain landscape, which offers submarines many nooks and hiding places, the release emphasizes.

It added that “the ability to operate and train in this environment is essential to exercise control over the Baltic Sea.”

– As the newest member of NATO, we share our knowledge about the Baltic Sea region, increasing security and stability – said the head of the Swedish Navy, Johan Norlen. He added that with this type of exercises, the North Atlantic Alliance is “strengthening itself to meet today's security challenges.”

The exercises, which will last until November 14, are already arousing public interest. Local media published photos of emerging submarine kiosks sent by residents of the archipelago.

According to the Swedish Armed Forces, from next year Operation Merlin will be a permanent NATO exercise.

During the Cold War, the largest violation of Swedish territorial waters by the Soviet Navy occurred on October 27, 1981, in the archipelago off the coast of Karlskrona in southeastern Sweden, where a Swedish naval base is located. Then the Soviet submarine S-363 (U 137) ran aground.

From Stockholm Daniel Zyśk (PAP)

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