British warship joins Baltic task force

HMS Iron Duke has joined NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) in the Baltic Sea, marking the culmination of a dynamic year for the Portsmouth-based frigate, according to a press release.

Following recent operations tracking two Russian naval groups near the British Isles, the Type 23 frigate has transitioned to cold northern waters to participate in NATO-led activities.

The Danish-led SNMG1 includes warships from Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, with Norwegian support vessel HNoMS Maud serving as the flagship. The group focuses on safeguarding European maritime security across the Atlantic, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and the Baltic.

HMS Iron Duke’s addition brings British expertise to a critical region amid NATO’s ongoing efforts to protect sea lanes and underwater infrastructure.

After joining the group, HMS Iron Duke made a port call in Riga, Latvia, coinciding with the nation’s independence celebrations. The frigate is now preparing to participate in Exercise Freezing Winds 24, an annual Finnish Navy-led operation involving 30 vessels and approximately 4,000 personnel from around a dozen NATO nations.

The 11-day exercise focuses on securing maritime transport routes and protecting underwater infrastructure, which are essential parts of NATO’s strategy in the region. Captain Marko Laaksonen, Exercise Director, described the drills as “an important part of NATO operations in the Baltic Sea,” highlighting the challenging conditions participants may face:

“At this time of the year, the weather can be anything from heavy snowfall to rainy autumn storm. We must ensure interoperability in all circumstances, and exercises in these unique conditions will definitely enhance our readiness.”

For the 180-strong crew of HMS Iron Duke, the exercise offers an opportunity to operate in snow, sleet, and sub-zero temperatures, a stark contrast to the ship’s previous patrols closer to home.

Commander David Armstrong, the ship’s Commanding Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the deployment:

“We are thrilled to join our NATO allies as part of NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 1. We know how professional and highly trained ships’ companies of all our allied units involved are, and we’re looking forward to integrating into the force.”

At the UK Defence Journal, we aim to deliver accurate and timely news on defence matters. We rely on the support of readers like you to maintain our independence and high-quality journalism. Please consider making a one-off donation to help us continue our work. Click here to donate. Thank you for your support!