The annual naval exercise “Baltops 22” is scheduled to take place in June, which seems particularly important this year because of the war in Ukraine. It is about protecting the Baltic Sea region.
Against the background of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a large multinational maneuver will take place in the Baltic Sea region under the leadership of the USA.
In addition to 14 NATO countries such as Germany, the partner countries Sweden and Finland would also take part in the annual maritime exercise “Baltops 22”, said the spokesman for the US Department of Defense, John Kirby, on Thursday (local time) in Washington. Sweden is the host of the maneuver this year, which is planned from June 5th to 17th. Sweden and Finland have applied for NATO membership because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The maneuver has been taking place regularly in the Baltic Sea region since 1972.
Kirby said 45 naval units, 75 aircraft and around 7,000 soldiers would take part in “Baltops 22”. The maneuver “offers a unique training opportunity to strengthen joint responsiveness,” which is critical to security in the Baltic Sea region. Among other things, amphibious operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, as well as diving and salvage operations would be practiced. Soldiers from Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, Great Britain and the USA are involved.
