The Baltic Sea is quickly becoming a critical frontline for European security. With thousands of ships crossing its waters daily and vital undersea infrastructure at risk, NATO’s presence has taken on new urgency.
Our editor, George Allison, was invited aboard the Swedish warship HMS Carlskrona during Operation Baltic Sentry to witness firsthand how NATO is defending this strategic region.
Sweden’s recent membership in NATO has transformed its role in regional defence. Once neutral, Sweden is now working alongside its allies to protect key infrastructure and monitor the thousands of vessels that pass through the region every day.
As Commodore Arjen Warnaar, Commander of NATO’s Standing Naval Group 1, explained:
“The nice thing about both Finland and Sweden is that they’re basically the specialists here. They’ve been here forever, and we’re very glad to have them. They fit in very, very well within NATO’s operations.”
What we saw aboard Carlskrona
In the video, George Allison takes you through a day on the warship, where NATO forces monitor vessel movements in real-time, conduct helicopter drills, and issue warnings to surrounding vessels. The footage captures the intensity and precision of the operation, from officers tracking ship positions on the bridge to the ship’s crew ensuring the region’s safety through constant vigilance.
One of the day’s highlights was hearing a powerful broadcast over the ship’s communication system:
“This is NATO Warship P04 monitoring channel 6 and 16. Please report any observation of unusual maritime activity.”
This broadcast wasn’t just a standard announcement—it was a statement of NATO’s presence and a warning to anyone considering disruption.
With around 4,000 ships crossing the Baltic Sea daily, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The region’s sea lanes are essential to Europe’s trade and security, and any disruption could have serious consequences. The increased threat of hybrid warfare—like sabotage or interference with undersea infrastructure—makes operations like Baltic Sentry critical to deterring potential adversaries.
As Warnaar noted, visibility is key to NATO’s strategy:
“If in your neighbourhood there’s a lot of break-ins, what do the police do? They start patrolling. What usually happens? The number of break-ins reduces. And that’s what NATO means when we’re talking about deterrence. We’re here. We’re visible. If anything happens, we react.”
See It for Yourself
Through onboard footage, interviews, and operational highlights, this video offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Sweden and NATO are working together to ensure the stability of one of Europe’s most critical regions.
🎥 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JbhRqIgONo
Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think NATO’s presence in the Baltic is enough to deter future threats?
