NATO’s maritime forces sharpened their electronic warfare and missile defence skills during Exercise Dynamic Guard, which took place off the coast of Crete, Greece, from 2 to 6 September 2024.
Led by Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), the exercise aimed to train and test allied forces in handling electronic threats in a challenging environment, according to a press release.
Dynamic Guard involved nearly 1,000 personnel, ships, and aircraft from several NATO countries, giving them the chance to operate in conditions where electronic warfare, such as jamming and interference, could disrupt their communications and sensors. The NATO Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff (JEWCS) supported the exercise, providing expertise and equipment to create realistic scenarios.
Participating ships included Canada’s HMCS Charlottetown, Spain’s ESPS Cristóbal Colón, Turkey’s TCG Yildirim, Germany’s FGS Hamburg, and three vessels from the Hellenic Navy. Aircraft, including F-16s from the Hellenic Air Force and a British Falcon DA-20, simulated airborne threats.
The exercise focused on simulating adversarial use of electronic warfare tools to detect and interfere with NATO warships before launching missile attacks. NATO ships were tasked with identifying and countering these threats to protect themselves and the wider task group.
Commodore Matthew Coates, Commander of SNMG2, said, “Exercise Dynamic Guard provides opportunities for SNMG2 to validate our training, knowledge, and expertise in electronic warfare and anti-ship missile defence. By working together in complex scenarios, we sharpen our strategic agility, refine our tactical skills, and strengthen the bonds of alliance that ensure our collective security.”
As electronic warfare becomes a more significant threat in modern conflicts, exercises like Dynamic Guard are essential for preparing NATO forces to handle real-world challenges.
The exercise highlights the importance of being able to operate in environments where key systems might be disrupted, with a focus on defending ships from electronic and missile attacks.
SNMG2, a multinational maritime force permanently available to NATO, plays a key role in NATO’s presence in the Mediterranean. The group supports various alliance operations and diplomatic efforts while maintaining readiness to respond to threats.
