Royal Marines spearheaded an awe-inspiring military display in Poland’s northern coastline as part of NATO’s latest exercise in the Baltic Sea.

The operation demonstrated NATO’s capability and unity in the region, which involved around 6,000 troops from 19 allied nations.

According to the report, “Commandos landed silently from Britain’s amphibious flagship HMS Albion on to a beach on the Pomeranian coast at Ustka”. They were tasked to scout and secure a forest area which was crucial for the subsequent arrival of marine forces from across the alliance.

This exercise, known as Baltops, is an annual affair which involves a large-scale collaboration among NATO members. This year, the UK’s specialist Commandos and a Royal Navy amphibious task group were central to the operations. Baltops primarily aims to secure peace and prosperity in the Baltic region.

The Commandos played a pivotal role by clearing paths for the allied forces and providing critical intelligence. “United States Marines and troops from Italy, Poland, and Romania were guided into position on the coastline” based on the intelligence gathered by the UK forces.

One of the highlights of the exercise was the use of American HIMARS rocket launchers. After the Commandos sent coordinates to the task force at sea, the rocket launchers unleashed a barrage on targets, thus paving the way for NATO forces to enter the area. This was facilitated by “X-Ray Company from Arbroath-based 45 Commando”, which operated from HMS Albion and was instrumental in preparing the coastline for the NATO forces’ landing.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

21 COMMENTS

    • There are not that many RM mate! Even less in actual front line combat units.
      But I agree on their worth as fighting troops, and I’d see the corps furnished and maintained appropriately.

      • 6600 2022 royal navy data and 5700 front line ready at short notice that’s a huge force our real highly trained troops not many counties could match .

        • Yes mate. One needs to look a bit deeper though into those numbers.
          How they are organised. ( Not as a deployable Bde )
          What they are equipped with, what role. ( Not all Cdo are in an “Green” infantry role )
          What CS,CSS ( minimal, much from the army )
          Can/do they actually deploy? ( not 43 for example, with its role )
          How many of that number in staff posts across Defence.
          How many of that number in CTCRM and not in a deployable role.
          And so on.
          We have a 3 Commando Brigade at present, but it is not deployable as a complete formation, and has not been for years.

          But yes, as you say, highly trained troops and the Corps is one of our elite formations, with good reason. And quite agree at their worth compared to the Russian rabble.

          • I think one company says it all. Probably less than 200 RMs in a multi national exercise of 6000 troops. We would see larger UK training contingents if we had more, or structured and equiped differently what we do have.

      • Daniele the Turkish army the same my grandson did his national service in the Turkish army he said it’s not full of drunks & convicts like the Russian army but the Turks are extremely poorly trained like the Russians maybe 2 or 3 half days training over the full national service and the equipment they claim to have never been seen it’s been mentioned a few times about the make believe missing equipment when the Turks have been NATO inspected .

  1. Have Russia ever had more than 10 thousand well trained troops imo No… when they empty prison full of rapist and kiddie fiddlers it proves they don’t in reality have many seriously trained quality troops. . Kiddie fiddlers drunks rapist and conscripts not the best pool of troops no wonder they can’t beat a small population who basically started from scratch and few NATO hand outs .

    • I believe their Airborne and Marine formations were some of their better units, took a beating at Hostomel amongst other places.

      Ukraine’s soldiers also have a burning cause in their hearts, which is to be fair, hard to beat!

      • They took a beating in Syria and a few other border clashes . I’ve spoken to a few ex regular Turkish troops not conscripts and in reality they believe Turkey could at best muster 20 k trained troops . The Germans not to pleased when the Turks allowed Rebels to blow up leopard tanks the rebels had very basic weapons or training .

      • Daniele It’s good to see Ajax getting back on track and Boxer due for delivery . Imo these type of vehicle are the future far more flexible than the main heavy battle tank for me the heavy battle tanks days are over and would be light work these days up against Javelin Nlaws Apache & simple easy cannon fodder for A10

        • Hi Peter.

          Yes, it is, and they’re needed, urgently. CVRT has mostly gone, and Warriors are filling in.
          Boxer numbers have funding for 1016 and interest in 1500 total.
          I still see the value in the Tank, just not the numbers of BAOR days. We should not dispose of the capability, but it should not be the be all and end all either.
          The RA, drones, EW, AD, Intell, are, which enable the infantry and armour to do their thing.
          And all those areas have been cut repeatedly.

          • Challenger 3 correct go for it but like you say it’s not the old BAOR days. Drones 100% and eyes and ears in the sky .

    • I wouldn’t call Ukraine a particularly small country with 36 million population Peter. Our elite units such as the RM are force enablers. Cutting them was always going to blunt our teeth, so I hope they’re not just maintained, but expanded. Some of our most versatile troops.

    • Germany pre Ukraine have been basically having a free NATO ride Germany been fully protected by NATO yet Germany don’t even spend the NATO 2% things will need to change .

  2. About time !! Uppity Poles, coming over here, taking our jobs, bedding our women. Who do they think they are?

    *Gets coat…..

  3. Baltops has always been one of the most relevant exercises NATO conducts and many joint force lessons have been learned from it. Poland and other front line countries need to be recognized for their courage in supporting this and other exercises in light of Russian aggression towards their close neighbor.

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