NATO

Royal Navy Contribution to NATO

The Royal Navy regularly contributes to NATO operations by maintaining an ongoing commitment to four standing NATO forces.

Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1(SNMG1)

The Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 1, previously known as NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic - STANAVFORLANT, is a permanent peacetime multinational naval squadron composed of destroyers, cruisers and frigates from the navies of various NATO nations. The Force operates, trains and exercises as a group, providing day-to-day verification of current NATO maritime procedures, tactics and effectiveness

Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2)

SNMGG2 covers busy shipping routes leading to the Suez Canal en route to Europe, and local traffic from the Black Sea, Near East and North Africa. Warships provide a reassuring, overt presence in the area, constantly on the look out for terrorist related activity.  The Ships will be at a high alert state ready to deal with any unforeseen threat that materialises.

Nations that contribute to SNMG2 include Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

Standing NATO Response Force Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1)

SNMCMG1 is a permanently established multinational naval squadron that normally consists of seven mine countermeasures vessels (including a dedicated command ship). The Force conducts an intensive and varied annual programme of operations throughout the waters of Europe from the North of Norway to the Mediterranean and from the Irish Sea to the Eastern Baltic Sea. Since 1998 has also been operating in coastal waters of the United States, Canada and Iceland.

Standing NATO Response Force Mine Counter Measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2)

SNMCMG2 is an operational mine countermeasures capability permanently available in the Mediterranean and poised for action in peacetime, crisis or conflict. This important force normally comprises eight mine hunters/sweepers and a support ship from Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.