Warning Moscow!, 14 countries will take action
According to the German news television channel website on September 8th, the German Navy stated that more than 3000 officers and soldiers from 14 countries will participate in a two-week "North Coast" exercise starting next week. In addition to Baltic coastal countries, Italy, France, Canada, and the United States will also participate in the performance.
The exercise force includes about 30 ships, about 20 aircraft, and various landing forces. It is reported that the exercise area includes the coastal waters, land, and airspace of Estonia and Latvia, as well as the eastern and central parts of the Baltic Sea. The North Coast exercise will be based on alliance defense scenarios for the first time.
According to the head of the German Navy, this exercise was also aimed at issuing a warning to Moscow. German Navy Director Jan Christian Kak said, "We will send a clear signal to Russia that all partners are on alert." German Navy Admiral Stefan Heisch said that after Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine, the actions of the Russian Navy in the Baltic Sea remain normal as in previous years.
Haishi believes that the biggest challenge in the exercise is the interoperability between numerous forces from 14 countries. Latvian Navy Commander Maris Poynchys said that Russia's attack on Ukraine has led to a reassessment of potential threats. He pointed out that it is necessary to invest more time and funds in equipment and development capabilities.
On September 6th, the German Naval Operations Command Center held a video conference on the "North Coast" exercise.
In addition, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on September 8 that the top commander of the German navy, Admiral Stefan Heisch, said he believed that all departments had "made full preparations" for the upcoming two-week naval exercise "on the northern coast".
This large-scale naval exercise is led by Germany this year. It first revolves around an alliance defense plan.
Haishi told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that he expected the Russian navy would not take provocative actions, and said that if the two sides were too close at sea, there would be multiple ways to communicate.
This annual naval exercise has been held since 2007. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland take turns serving as the main planners.
The German Navy said that the exercise starting next week will include over 3000 military personnel from 14 different countries.
In addition to Germany and its allies in the Baltic Sea, Italy, France, Canada, and the United States are also expected to participate in this exercise.
Approximately 30 ships, including one submarine, approximately 20 aircraft, and various landing forces will conduct exercises primarily along the coasts of Estonia and Latvia, as well as in the central Baltic Sea.
Haishi said that the biggest challenge lies in logistics, which involves coordinating with numerous units from 14 countries.
The leader of Latvia's navy, Maris Polenzis, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur that Moscow's attack on Ukraine had led to a new assessment of possible threats. He also talked about the necessity of investing more time and money in equipment and combat readiness.
