A large fleet of NATO and Ukrainian warships arrived in Glasgow ahead of the 22nd iteration of Exercise Sea Breeze.

The annual multinational maritime exercise, named Alba Breeze this year, is traditionally hosted in the Black Sea by the US Sixth Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy.

Still, recent geopolitical developments have shifted the venue to Glasgow.

The U.S. Navy told me:

“Exercise Sea Breeze 23-1 is led by the U.S. and will be held in the Firth of Clyde near Glasgow and Loch Ewe, Scotland, June 26-July 7, 2023. The exercise aims to build maritime security and stability operations with multinational partners to enhance the capabilities of Black Sea and Partnership for Peace maritime security forces while progressively training and preparing the Ukraine Maritime Command staff.

This is the 22nd iteration of Sea Breeze, an annual, multinational, maritime exercise. This year’s exercise is land and sea-based, and will focus on maritime security and stability operations with an emphasis on mine countermeasure and dive operation mission areas.”

NATO warships usually patrol the Black Sea for approximately two-thirds of the year, but current circumstances make this impossible. Turkey closed the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits to all warships following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, affecting even those countries bordering the Black Sea. However, the NATO-Ukraine joint exercise continues undeterred, with Glasgow as its new backdrop.

The maritime training activities, beginning today, will test the mettle of Ukraine’s newly acquired vessels, the UNS Cherkasy and Chernihiv, and help build their capabilities.

The fleet, consisting of a range of vessel classes from minehunters to multipurpose vessels, signals the diverse representation of NATO countries. The Dutch HNLMS Vlaardingen, EML Sakala from Estonia, the French FS Sagittaire, and the Norwegian HNoMS Nordkapp formed part of this naval contingent. The Netherlands sent an additional trio of vessels — the HNLMS Mercuur, HNLMS Makkum, and HNLMS Snellius, while the United Kingdom was represented by the HMS Pembroke.

Two standouts in the multinational flotilla mentioned above are Ukraine’s Cherkasy and Chernihiv, formerly Royal Navy Sandown Class Minesweepers. These newly-acquired vessels will face their first multinational trial during Exercise Sea Breeze, a prime opportunity to build their operational capabilities.

In anticipation of the exercise launch ceremony, a temporary flight restriction was established over the dock to “protect the large numbers of persons attending an event.” The restriction, which applied to unmanned aircraft but not manned ones, was enforced from 0600 hours to 1400 hours on June 26, 2023. The no-fly zone prohibited any drone flight below 1000 feet above mean sea level. Luckily, I got there before the restriction as in place.

Vice Admiral Ishee, commander of the US Sixth Fleet, opened the ceremony with words of pride and anticipation, “I am proud to be in Glasgow today at the opening ceremony of the 22nd iteration of Exercise Sea Breeze, our annual, multinational, Black Sea-focused exercise designed to enhance interoperability and the combined capabilities of participating nations.”

MSPs, a councillor, and the US and Ukrainian Consuls General were in attendance at the dock, highlighting the importance of Exercise Alba Breeze to the international community.

George Allison
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
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31 COMMENTS

  1. Off-topic, but worth noting!

    “The British Army will be equipped with new weapon sights that identify and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) announced on 27 June.

    Known as SMASH, the fire-control weapon sight developed by Smart Shooter is designed to improve a soldier’s accuracy on the battlefield by integrating a track and lock-on capability. It also features a ‘drone mode’ that enables soldiers to engage and achieve a high probability hit rate against micro and mini UAVs.

    The GBP4.6 million (USD5.85 million) contract comes under a larger GBP20 million five-year framework that seeks to equip all three services in the dismounted close combat category with the capability.

    This initial order is for the SMASH X4 weapon sight, with deliveries expected to commence towards the end of 2023, a Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesperson told Janes.

    Viking Arms is the UK partner for Smart Shooter, which will support the delivery of additional sights to the three services based on operational and readiness commitments, the announcement said.”

    • Also OT and army related. CGS made a speech yesterday ( mentioned on UKAFC Twitter feed ) where he mentioned some changes that are coming in the DCP.
      16 AA will now resubordinate to 1 (UK Div )
      JHC will now become JAC – Joint Aviation Command – thus including drones.
      SHORAD will “triple” – HVM Stormer and LMM capability.
      MRAD, so Sky Sabre, will “double”
      GMLRS over 60.
      Lots of changes to the RA, most of which we knew were coming, but more details are awaited.

        • Probably for what we would ever use it for?

          Given the tiny army that is a lot of firepower.

          I don’t think Ukraine have that many to hold the who of Russia at bay. The stockpile of reloads is more the issue.

        • Yes. For what they can do, and the longer ranged PM we are also buying.
          Huge amount of precision firepower.
          If my numbers are right I think we currently have 44, not all in front line use?
          The number being talked of is “between 61 and 75”
          I also understand they are no longer in production? So we will be getting them for refurb from various sources and updating them and our current ones.
          “Tripling” SHORAD. 12 RA currently has 4 HVM Batteries. Is that more launchers ( on Boxer, as Stormer is being replaced ) in existing or standing up new Batteries? I don’t yet know.

          “Doubling” Sky Sabre. Again, what does it mean? If I had my way I’d convert 32 RA from TUAS to AD with more Sky Sabre Batteries and disperse the tactical UAS effort amongst other arms, especially the RAC Recc Regs. I assume that is even possible? Perhaps an army guy like Graham can comment on the logistics of that?

          I hope to see some lightweight precision firepower put into 3 Cdo and 16 AA Bde too alongside the heavier GMLRS stuff.

          • Hi mate. Thanks fir the detailed update. Sounds like the Army is getting some good kit, and in numbers for once. 👍🇬🇧

          • The sad thing is, especially regards SHORAD, it’s a shadow of what we had before until around 2005. Hundreds of HVM Stormer with generous allocations to BGs, never mind a Battery to a Brigade like now. There were also 3 regiments in the TA alongside 2 regular Regiments, 1 on HVM and one I think with just LMM launchers. All considered unnecessary vs Taliban and Terrorists and the COIN ops we undertook. So, so short sighted.

            I’m keen to see details so I can see if this is yet more smoke and mirrors or a genuine uplift, as other things may go to find the manpower.

        • Remember that GMLRS with 12, has twice the number of rockets as HIMARS with 6. So individually they can throw down a greater weight of fire or engage more targets with guided rockets.

          • The extended range version of GMLRS can reach to about 150km. The real deal is ATACMS which uses the same launcher but has double the range i.e 300km

            Both systems use the GPS satnav which the Russians have learned to jam using mobile EW vehicles. These have to be deployed close to potential targets and the UkR Army have been hunting them down with drones. Its a classic defence/offence situation.

          • Due to the ATACMS’s size a GMLRS can carry/fire two, whereas HIMARS can only carry/fire one.

            The GPS signal received at ground level is measured in mWs. This makes it relatively easy to jam. Though Russia are quite good at spoofing the signal as well, ie transmitting fake time codes to falsify where you believe you location is. Companies like L3 Harris make jam resistant GPS antenna units. These use multiple antennas that interleave the multiple GPS signals to try and remove the jamming signal.

          • Sadly the Fireshadow was one of the program cuts in the Defence White Paper in 2017. I bet the Army/MoD are kicking themselves now, especially with regards to how loitering munitions are being used so successfully in Ukraine.

            It was designed to have a 6 hour loitering capability, where it could relay back surveillance information. But also carry out a suicide attack on a designated target. Size wise, it’s not small being of a similar size to the Israeli Harop/Harpy. Which had a major factor in crippling the Arminian air defences in the last Armenia vs Azerbaijan conflict. It was significantly bigger than a Switchblade for example.

            However, it had a number of advantages over the Harop. The main wings would fold out after launch. So it could be packaged in a fairly small container. Its dimensions allowed to fit in a T45’s Sylver VLS.

            In regards to the Fireshadow’s GPS being jammed, yes probably. But then so would its data-link back to the operator. A lot would depend on how powerful the jammer is and and how close the drone is to the jammer. Both Russia and Ukraine are making use of jammers specifically used to target the drone’s control communications.

            See link to the Think Defence page on loitering munitions below. It shows videos of the Harpy and Fireshadow in trials.

            Fire Shadow Loitering Munition – Think Defence

            This is one of the recently cancelled programs that should be reinstated. The UK does not have this type of long duration persistent drone with a dual-role capability.

          • Thanks for that.
            Your last paragraph pre empted my next question, why the hell don’t they just restart it!! The development is done?

        • If you have limited army manpower, any increase in RA capability is a cost effective way to achieve more bang for the buck. I was looking for an order date for the Korean K9 SPG, I thought these would be to replace the AS90 we have given to Ukraine. Maybe more to come in the DCP

      • Hi Daniele, thank you for the update, we could always use a bit more firepower. It’s no longer a question of keeping up with the Joneses, but rather the Poles these days!

        LINK

      • I wonder if we will end up signing a contract for these.

        “South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has approved a project to upgrade the performance of K9 Thunder 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).

        According to a press release by DAPA on 26 June, the project will boost the striking capability of K9 howitzers. The howitzers will also be equipped with automated turrets and crew safety equipment as part of the project.

        DAPA allocated KRW2.36 trillion (USD1.8 billion) for the project between 2023 and 2027.

        “The project will improve performance through domestic research and development. It will reinforce the rapid strike capability and improve combat efficiency by automating the feeding and loading of the K9 turret,” DAPA said.

        A DAPA spokesperson earlier told Janes that the upgrades are identified based on the input from the RoKA and will improve the safety, convenience, and operational efficiency of K9s.
        According to Janes World Armies,”

        • I’d read they’d offered UK build too? Get skills going again, like how to create a large gun barrel. 🙄

          • Exactly my point all along, we need some decent kit short-term and the opportunity to rebuild our manufacturing/skills.

            What better opportunity than to select a working partnership with SK.

            Hanwha plans to participate in India’s FICV, light tank programmes26 JUNE 2023

          • BAe are still making large gun barrels from what I hear, up at Barrow, both 105 and 155. Not sure if they still can make the naval 4.5″ though or the rifled L30A1 120mm barrel. They can also do barrel relining. They did make a batch of 81mm mortar tubes about 7 years ago, to replace those worn out from Afghan.

          • Oh, ok…..I’d read a report, obviously wrong, that we could no longer produce them.
            It does seem ridiculous that a nation of our history and standing could not.

    • I’ve seen these in the US a few years ago, they had a demo at Fort Bragg. Basically it incorporates a ballistic computer to improve the accuracy of an average shooter, where they can regularly hit the centre of mass at 300m. The computer automatically alters the point of aim to compensate for target range as well as atmospherics. They even had a version with an integrated thermal sight. Just a tad better than a SUSAT……(So glad when we got the ACOG).

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