More than 50 ships, dozens of aircraft and helicopters, as well as 9,000 soldiers from 20 NATO states will participate in the "Baltops ’24" exercises that are now underway. Poland was traditionally among the participants. She sent a frigate and a transport-miner ship to the Baltic maneuvers.
So many ships under the allied flags, the port in Klaipeda has never seen. In fresh days there have been dozens of different types of units – from trawlers, frigates, to landing ships – from almost 20 NATO countries. And all due to maneuvers ‘Baltops’, which starts present in Lithuania. The first 2 days were reserved for the alleged port phase. It will come under the sign of briefing and detailed discussion of tasks. On June 7, the ships will go out to sea.
This year’s “Baltops” is unique. The Lithuanians even say the biggest in history. More than 50 ships from the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain and Sweden are to operate in the Baltic, which will be performed for the first time in the 50-year past of the exercise as full associate of the Alliance. any 40 aircraft and helicopters, as well as marine, land, and airborne troops, must be included.
Poland besides sent a strong representation for maneuvers. A rocket frigate, among others, was wrapped in Klaipeda. ORP ‘Gen. K. Pulaski’ and tanker ORP “Baltic” from 3 Fleet Ships in Gdynia. Both units will be part of a task force, which will besides be co-created by frigates from Spain – ESPS "Juan de Borbón" and ESPS "Blas de Lezo", Denmark – HDMS "Peter Willemoes", France FS "Auvergne" and German supply ship FGS "Rhön". “We will carry out a spectrum of tasks”, said Mr Tomasz Teległów, commander of the ORP “Pułaski”. This list includes, for example, the search and combat of submarines. In doing so, Poles will have the function of a ship conducting this kind of mission respective times. “We will coordinate the team’s activities, distribute tasks, not only between individual frigates, but besides onboard helicopters,” explains Mr Teległów. The search will include SH-2G from the Naval Aviation Brigade. This is an on-board chopper assigned to Oliver Hazard Perry units, which, in time for “Baltops” was searched on board “Pułaski”. This, of course, is not the end. During the exercise, the squad in which the Polish ship will be located will defy air strikes and simulated impacts of enemy units. – The plans besides included MIO operations, which include controlling ships. Boarding groups, including from our ship, will enter their decks – said kmdr por. Teległów.
During the maneuvers quite a few work will besides be done by the ORP crew “Baltic”. – We intend to improve our procedures related to the supply of battleships straight at sea – informs Captain Lukasz Dahm, commander of the Polish tanker. The ‘Baltic’ is adapted to transport a crucial amount of fuel. – We can transmit them both by standing on the anchor and by moving. Through the stern, but besides through the sides. The construction and method parameters of our ship let us to cooperate with many units, only that the tallness of their port must not exceed 12.8 m – explains Captain Mar. Dahm. The crew of the ORP “Baltic” regularly cooperates with 3 FO ships, but not only. – If there is an opportunity, we are taking part in training with allies. And “Baltops” offers truly large opportunities here – the commander points out.
She besides separated her exercise ships from the 8th Coast Defence Fleet from the Świnoujście. – Participation in the “Baltops” will be taken by the ORP “Necko” trawler and the ORP “Poznań” transport-miner ship,” said Mr Grzegorz Lewandowski, spokesperson for the Świnouian flotilla. The first unit will join Baltron, or Baltic Mine Team. Crews will jointly clear key shipping routes from the mines, thus paving the way for large battleships. OTRM, in turn, will form a landing group with the Spanish ESPS ‘Juan Carlos I’ helicopter. – On board the ORP “Poznań” a platoon of Romanian Marines and a platoon mechanized 7th Coast Defence Brigade along with equipment – floating transporters PTS-M – explains Mr. Lewandowski. These forces will take part in sea landing operations. respective of them are likely to take place during the “Baltops”.
The landing episodes of the exercise will sound highly intense this year. besides thanks to the participation of Poles, due to the fact that in addition to 7 BOW and marine airmen, the 6th Air Force should send its soldiers to maneuvers.
“Baltops” is the largest and oldest exercise in the Baltic. Their past dates back to 1972, and the current edition is already 53rd in turn. The course of maneuvers is under the command of the Naval Strike Force and NATO Support (STRIKFORNATO).
