Riga/Rostock (dpa) – A two-week German-led naval maneuver has begun off the coasts of Latvia and Estonia. The exercise began as planned, a Navy spokeswoman said in Rostock.
This year, more than 3,000 soldiers from 14 countries are participating in the “Côtes du Nord” exercise, which has been taking place since 2007, including Italy, France, Canada and the United States, in addition to those bordering the Baltic Sea. The maneuver group includes around thirty ships and boats – including a submarine -, around twenty planes and various land units.
The exercise, led by a headquarters in Rostock, about 1,000 kilometers away, aims to improve the allies’ common understanding of the Baltic Sea. According to the Navy, “Northern Coasts” is based for the first time on an alliance defense scenario.
The units, previously assembled in the port of Riga and offshore, headed out to sea for the first exercises. According to the Navy, this involves mine clearance, shooting at maritime targets, submarine hunting, electronic warfare, cooperation with reconnaissance aircraft, landing operations, port protection and much more.
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