NATO reacts to Russian airspace violations in the Baltic Sea

Frigate "Hessen" as a German maritime contribution

The German Navy is participating in the NATO activity "Brilliant Vanguard" with the air defence frigate "Hessen" (F 221). It is a response to repeated violations by Russian-made Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in the airspace of NATO countries in the Baltic Sea. The planning of "Brilliant Vanguard" was led by the commander of the Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum in the Netherlands, General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, and conditionally approved by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), US General Christopher G. Cavoli. It can be expected that further forces will be deployed to the Baltic Sea region as part of "Brilliant Vanguard".

"Brilliant Vanguard" is intended to provide a visible, rapid and effective response to Russian airspace violations and the protection of NATO airspace and national integrity. As far as is known, the maritime part of "Brilliant Vanguard" will be carried out by Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG 1). Further details on the area of operations, procedures and involvement of other forces have not yet been released. With the "Hessen", the German Navy is making a visible contribution despite all the difficulties regarding the availability of units and personnel.

According to a spokesperson for the German Navy, the air defence frigate "Hessen" will be involved in "Brilliant Vanguard" from 23 September to 9 October 2024. On Wednesday afternoon, 25 September, the ship arrived at the naval base in Kiel from Wilhelmshaven for resupply and personnel transfer. After a two-day stay, the 143 metre-long frigate set sail for the Central Baltic Sea with its AIS signal switched off.

The NATO Standing Task Force 1 currently operating in the Baltic Sea is made up of the Norwegian task force provider "HNO MS Maud", the two Dutch frigates "HNLMS De Ruyter" and "HNLMS Van Amstel", the French frigate "La Fayette" and the Portuguese frigate "NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida". The formation is led by the Danish Commodore Bo Overgaard with a staff from eight nations (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom) from the "HNOMS Maud" (source: X/Twitter NATO_MARCOM).

At about the same time as the "Hessen" left Kiel, an Airbus A330 MRTT of the Dutch Air Force could be observed flying eastwards.

Royal Netherlands Air Force A330 MRTT - 27 September 2024

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Text: M.Nitz/Mergener

Photos: Nitz