NATO establishes Baltic Sentry. Mark Rutte: "To ensure safety and protection for everything that is valuable to us

- Cooperation with NATO allies, including through the "Baltic Sentry" initiative, means that we are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety and protection of our critical infrastructure and everything that is valuable to us - said Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General.

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14 january 2025   |   13:46   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

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NATO has announced a new military initiative called "Baltic Sentry," aimed at strengthening the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, during the Baltic Sea Allies Summit in Helsinki, emphasized that "Baltic Sentry" will increase the Alliance's military presence in the region and enhance the ability of member states to respond to destabilizing activities.

- We must address attacks on underwater infrastructure by taking military and legal actions, using new technologies, and increasing information sharing - admitted Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia.

Latvian President, Edgars Rinkēvičs, participated in the NATO Baltic Sea Allies Summit in Helsinki, organized by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal. The meeting was also attended by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen.

During the summit, President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized the need to strengthen NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea in response to the growing threats from Russia. He noted that the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union should use all available practical and legal means to counter the actions of Russia’s "shadow fleet," which engages in illegal activities such as cutting underwater cables, conducting espionage, and generating income to support aggression in Ukraine.

The Latvian President highlighted the importance of NATO's physical presence and patrols in the region, stressing that in light of escalating aggressive actions from Russia, it is necessary to increase the Alliance's forces and capabilities in the Baltic Sea to deter and counter potential threats. Latvia expressed its satisfaction with NATO's decision to initiate operations in the Baltic Sea and pledged its contribution by providing a patrol vessel.

Additionally, President Edgars Rinkēvičs called for tightening sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet" and effectively using new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to monitor its activities. He emphasized that these actions are essential for the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic states and for ensuring security in the region.

NATO strengthens protection of submarine infrastructure in the Baltic Sea

As part of "Baltic Sentry," also known as the Baltic Guard, various resources are planned to be utilized, including frigates and maritime patrol aircraft. Additionally, NATO intends to deploy new technologies, such as a fleet of maritime drones, and cooperate with member states to integrate national surveillance systems.

The goal of these measures is to improve the ability to protect critical submarine infrastructure and respond effectively when necessary.

The NATO Secretary General also highlighted the importance of decisive enforcement actions, emphasizing that ship captains must be aware of the consequences of potential threats to infrastructure, including the possibility of boarding, confiscation, and arrest.

The "Baltic Sentry" initiative reflects NATO's commitment to ensuring security and stability in the Baltic Sea region by strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and maintaining readiness to respond to potential threats.

Baltic Sentry: NATO's response to regional events

The "Baltic Sentry" operation is a response to the incidents of December 25, when submarine cables connecting Estonia and Finland were damaged. In response to these events, on December 30, Alliance states expressed solidarity with these countries, and during the NATO summit in Helsinki, a decision was made to launch a new mission.

General Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, emphasized the importance of this operation, stating:

- Baltic Sentry will provide targeted deterrence across the Baltic Sea and counter destabilizing activities like those observed in December 2024. This demonstrates the Alliance's ability to respond swiftly to such destabilizations and showcases the strength of our unity in the face of any challenge - said the General.

The Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) will be responsible for conducting the "Baltic Sentry" operation, coordinating actions across various domains, with a central role played by NATO's Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in the maritime domain. Additionally, NATO's Underwater Critical Infrastructure Security Center (NMCSCUI), located within MARCOM, will support the Alliance in decision-making and coordination of actions related to the protection and response to threats against submarine infrastructure.

It is worth noting that while "Baltic Sentry" is a new initiative, NATO forces have already maintained a constant presence in the Baltic Sea, conducting regular patrols and joint exercises to enhance readiness. Warships, submarines, and allied aircraft, supported by advanced maritime surveillance technologies, monitor the waters in this region and beyond.

The "Baltic Sentry" operation highlights NATO's commitment to ensuring security and stability in the Baltic Sea region, demonstrating the Alliance's ability to respond rapidly to threats and protect critical infrastructure from potential attacks.

- Baltic Sentry is part of our ongoing effort to strengthen maritime presence and monitor key areas for our Alliance - said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Leaders of NATO member states present at the Baltic Sea Allies Summit in Helsinki on January 14, 2025, issued a joint statement committing to collective action to strengthen security in the Baltic region, with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure, including submarine cables and pipelines, and ensuring freedom of navigation.

"We fully support unity and solidarity within the Alliance, consistently taking steps to enhance defense capabilities and cooperation with our partners (...) We have decided to further strengthen NATO's military presence in the Baltic region, particularly in the face of increasing threats from actors destabilizing regional security (...) We emphasize the importance of cooperation with the European Union in ensuring regional stability, both in security policy and crisis management, the statement reads."

The full text of the statement can be found here.

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