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UK forces take part in Allied Shield Baltic exercises
DB News: 03/06/2015 - 11:22
The Allied Shield exercises will take place in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states, with the UK taking part in two of the four exercises, Baltops and Saber Strike.
Baltops is a US led maritime and amphibious warfare exercise taking place in the Baltic sea around Poland. It will begin on 5 June and involve 4500 personnel, 47 ships, and 49 aircraft from 17 nations. The Royal Navy will deploy HMS Ocean, a helicopter carrier, and HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate. The exercise is designed to practice a range of capabilities, including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and amphibious landings.
Exercise Saber Strike will be conducted on land in Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The exercise is also US led and will see 3000 personnel conduct joint infantry and close air support exercises. The British Army will supply around 170 soldiers for the exercise, due to take place 8 June.
The participation of British forces in the Allied Shield exercises is part of the UK’s contribution to NATO’s Assurance Measures, established May 2014 as a part of the NATO Readiness Action Plan.
Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, said: “The key role that our armed forces will play in the Allied Shield exercises clearly demonstrates our commitment to defending our NATO allies and partners. Operating alongside other nations’ forces on land, sea, and in the air, we are able to enhance our ability to conduct joint operations now and in the future, and respond to any threat to the Alliance.
“These exercises are just the latest examples of the UK’s ongoing contribution to the reassurance, training, and defence of our Eastern European NATO allies. Following the deployment of RAF Typhoons on the Baltic Air Policing mission, and the Army’s participation in Estonia’s largest ever military exercise earlier this month, the UK will continue to play a key role in the collective defence of NATO countries.”
