Baltic Protector

  • Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea

Nine nations come together for the first major maritime training deployment of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which is proud to be enabling stability and security within the Baltic Sea region.

 

Priorities

We have come a long way since the launch of the Joint Expeditionary Force in 2014.

In 2019 we have decided that our main priority is to grow our ability to work together at sea and prove the relevance of our forces to the defence of the Baltic Sea region.

Baltic Protector

We have designed an exciting series of maritime exercises called Baltic Protector. The first military phase takes place on 24 May - 4 June off Denmark.

Working together

It is vital that we understand and have confidence in each other’s techniques and tactics and so Danish, Dutch, Norwegian and UK forces will participate and, in addition to maritime operations, our Royal Marines will be undertaking Urban Operations, live firing and parachuting.

Our allies

While JEF is willing and able to act without other nations, we also prepare to work alongside NATO, EU, UN and other allies. So we are delighted to be invited to join the US 2nd Fleet on their annual BALTOPS exercise, which forms Phase 2 of Baltic Protector.

Sea war exercise

From 9 to the 23 June, JEF forces will be in the seas off Germany and Sweden where we will conduct a sea war exercise, including Mine Countermeasure ops, naval gunfire, a beach recce and close air support.

From the sea

For our final phase, between 26 June and 8 July, we will focus on Amphibious operations, working together on several beach landings around the Baltic States.

Our legacy

This is not the first time JEF nations have exercised together, although it is the biggest maritime deployment we have mounted to date.

Friendships and working relationships will be built, confidence will grow, cultural appetites will be ignited, and solidarity will be strengthened.  

What are we doing?

HMS Albion will join forces with vessels and personnel from Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and the Netherlands for the start of integration training in the western Baltic and eastern North Sea – the first of three phases making up the deployment.

The Joint Expeditionary Force will then demonstrate its ability to not only operate independently but also support existing multinational organisations when the task group will join NATO Allies on the US-led Exercise Baltops, taking part off Germany and Sweden.

The third and final phase of the deployment will see the task group link up with land forces in the eastern Baltic - including the UK-led battlegroup in Estonia which makes up part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence – by conducting a series of shore landings and raids.

Royal Marines parachuting from a C130 at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector
45 Commando in Denmark
Royal Marines parachuting from a C130 at Denmark during Exercise Baltic Protector See all 12 images

This deployment represents the largest UK-led operational deployment of a military force in Europe for decades and demonstrates our ability to react quickly and decisively to any crisis in the world.

Captain Peter Laughton
Commanding Officer, HMS Albion

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