Thirteen NATO countries are taking part in simulated air and missile defence drills off the United Kingdom’s south coast.

The 6-day (starting 31st of October 2019) Naval Electromagnetic Operations – or NEMO – trials will test how allied navies can defend themselves against anti-ship cruise and hypersonic missiles using state-of-the-art electronic defences, say NATO.

“NEMO 19 shows how Allies are working together to protect NATO forces from the threat of cruise and hypersonic missiles,” said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu.

“This is NATO’s largest maritime electronic warfare exercise and a great example of how Allies are developing new defensive technology to meet emerging security challenges.”

As part of the drill, Allies will seek to jam enemy missiles or divert them away from their targets, using state-of-the-art electronic defences.

“NEMO 19 will also see the use of infrared and radar measurements to reduce the susceptibility of ships to enemy radars and missiles. Tactical data exchanges between participating ships as well as voice procedures if data links are jammed or tampered with will also be put to the test.  The technology is meant to counter the growing threat of ever more complex anti-ship missile systems proliferating around the globe.”

“NEMO 19 is taking so-called anti-access area-denial capabilities into account as we continue to adapt our deterrence and defence posture,” the NATO Spokesperson said, adding that reinforcing the Alliance’s maritime posture is essential for ensuring the Alliance’s continued freedom of movement at sea.

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States will participate by sending ships, aircraft, measurement equipment and sailors.

About 1,500 personnel, six ships and eight aircraft are involved in NEMO 19.

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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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Lordtemplar
Lordtemplar
4 years ago

Good to see them work together. But why is Turkey invited? when it should be suspended/kicked from Nato!

Cam
Cam
4 years ago
Reply to  Lordtemplar

Could Nato do with losing Turkeys millitary, it’s far bigger than the UKs in certain areas like troop numbers and Tanks ect, but their troops are vastly conscripts so quality will be an issue. But they have a large millitary and bases that nato needs in that region.

Andy P
Andy P
4 years ago
Reply to  Lordtemplar

I suppose we could but what have they done to NATO ?

I’m not mad on what they’re up to but NATO spitting the dummy isn’t going to make it any better and could potentially push Turkey into the opposite camp. That would move the border further into Europe which a lot of countries might not be keen on.

Rob N
Rob N
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Fully agree… rather then forcing Turkey into the hands of Russia we should be building links with them. They control some key areas on the map and have and currently guard NATO’s flank. To try and kick them out is short sighte.

Steve H
Steve H
4 years ago
Reply to  Rob N

Even though Erdogan is a vile dictator, luckily it’s their military that NATO forces work with so they don’t have anything to do with the despot lunatic.
I don’t think that Trump has helped the Turkey situation either, his wild threats and talk of sanctions and throwing them out of the F-35 programme are just ridiculous. Turkey has contributed to it and it’s important to keep them on board……..no matter how much of a moron Erdogan is.

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago
Reply to  Lordtemplar

Would you rather Turkey jump in bed with Russia. That would effectively cut-off the black Sea. Turkey is too important strategically to loose.

dan
dan
4 years ago

Let’s hope Trump orders the removal of US nukes from Turkish soil very soon. Then kick them out of NATO. lol

Bill
Bill
4 years ago
Reply to  dan

Turkey may kick them out first. Putin will put the pressure on no doubt especially as he is in the front line for the order for the cancelled F-35 program. Trump offends all and sundry with his trite comments and even he doesnt know what he is going to say until its there on line like a 13 year old schoolgirl. He makes Carter and Clinton look like world statesmen. A ridiculous and dangerous man.

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  Bill

Totally agree ,we should not push turkey away to putins sphere of dark influence even more than now ,it will just inflate Putins ego more ,a dictator with over confidants is very dangerous .

SoleSurvivor
SoleSurvivor
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Appease a dictator because you don’t like another dictator

Makes sense

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  SoleSurvivor

Conrad sole ,I have called you out before ,I think you have a warped reality on things even trying to argue against the Hong Kong riots i seem to remember,as I said Why dont you live in Russia or china you would soon get my point lol.

SoleSurvivor
SoleSurvivor
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Thought it was soleski?

F**k Hong Kong

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  SoleSurvivor

Ok soleski ,I struggle to understand your mentality.

Steve H
Steve H
4 years ago
Reply to  SoleSurvivor

Basically, yes, but that’s how geopolitics works unfortunately.

Steve H
Steve H
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

It’s a horrible dilemma to have, Turkey, you’re dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t. Personally, I’d like to remove them from NATO as they’re clearly playing both sides here but they do live in a strategically important location and their military do regularly play a big part in NATO exercises and make a decent contribution to the Alliance. I hate Erdogan, he’s a typical political bully and dictator and he’s starting to turn the normally relaxed and modernised Turkish people into more of a conservative/strict Country under an ever increasingly brutal regime. The cost of turfing Turkey… Read more »

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  Bill

I shouldnt worry about the US Trump will not get a next term , then all order will be restored apart with our version of Trump good old boris lol.

Steve H
Steve H
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Dave, as big of a tit Trump is….I just can’t see the Democrats fielding a candidate to challenge him. What annoys me about him is his penchant for upsetting NATO Allies and partners around the World although he is correct when he calls out the richer European countries for not spending the required 2% GDP on defence. I think everytime he opens his big mouth, his military chiefs have to just tut and shake heir heads. It’s just lucky that our Armed Forces and the US armed Forces work so well together, if they didn’t, the partnership could be very… Read more »

AndyB
AndyB
4 years ago
Reply to  dan

What – are you seriously joking ? Kick Turkey out of NATO and expose our whole Southeastern front against the dangerous Middle East. At a stroke give Russia what it has wanted for nearly 200 years, direct naval access to the Mediterranean, undermining NATO and bringing Cyprus directly to the front line. The Bosporus is vital for bottling up the Russian Black Sea fleet. Turkey has always been pro-British and good allies, better than many others in NATO, others who have refused to support Britain on many occasions, refused even to sell the UK artillery shells at the start of… Read more »

Lordtemplar
Lordtemplar
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Turkey an ally are you joking or do you just ignore history? Remember Galipoli? Europe pays Turkey tons of money over 3 billion to date and Erdogan blackmails Europe with refugees from Syria etc… a situation that is not of Europe’s making. Turkey is not a good ally and has not allowed US bases to be used for raids in Iraq or Syria. Furthermore they have been in bed with ISIS and allowing them to go and forth through the border. How did all western european jihadis get to Syria, simple via Turkey. Erdogan and his family members have made… Read more »

AndyB
AndyB
4 years ago
Reply to  Lordtemplar

Oh yeah – you’re right, I forgot my history. Italy is our enemy. Those pesky Romans took over Britain remember, or the Normans and the Vikings, or is it just your selective history that counts…. oh, and how can you forget zee Germans….

Andy P
Andy P
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Andy B, lets just say its a good job us dafties only get to do our ranting on places like this and not in the corridors of power.

We’re just lucky the Yanks have forgiven us for burning the White House.

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy P

Yes, but did we forgive them for the raid on Whitehaven?

Steve H
Steve H
4 years ago
Reply to  Lordtemplar

No matter what you or I think of Turkey or Erdogan, the Turkish military is an important part of NATO and they regularly do play their part well in the Alliance by taking part in almost every exercise and contributing the required 2% of GDP.
Although politically Turkey isn’t entirely trustworthy, their military still does the job for NATO.

OldSchool
OldSchool
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Re Spain ….can we have a vote on that …..please?

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Well said Andy.

dave12
dave12
4 years ago
Reply to  dave12

Andy B thats is

Liam
Liam
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Turkey is no longer an ally that can be trusted. Erdogan is destroying Ataturk’s carefully thought out system.

As for terrorism, don’t make me laugh. The Turks have committed two genocides (the Greeks in Turkey and the Armenians) and continue their oppression to this day.

NATO should bolster Greece, a true and enduring ally.

DaveyB
DaveyB
4 years ago
Reply to  Liam

There’s the old proverb of “keeping your friends close and your enemies closer”, I think this is the case here. Turkey is too important strategically to loose. Don’t get me wrong, I am no friend of Turkey’s, having witnessed first hand how they treated the Khurds after Gulf War 1. But if we turn them in to a pariah Nation, much like Russia, Iran or even North Korea then they will be emboldened to do what ever they choose, with no restraints. By keeping them in NATO at least they fall under peer pressure, which hopefully can keep them in… Read more »

SoleSurvivor
SoleSurvivor
4 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

You’re forgetting that the mindset of that proverb has been the cause of many of conflict and bad mistakes over the last century

The USA thought that about Egypt during the Suez crisis, and then Eisenhower admitted he broke the golden rule of foreign policy

Reward your allies and punish your enemies

The Turks our not currently our allies, the Kurds are, and we are currently breaking that golden rule of foreign policy

Andy P
Andy P
4 years ago
Reply to  AndyB

Glad you’re here to bring a bit of balance to the discussion Andy Reeves, always the voice of reason……

I suppose we could give them Gibraltar, or we could maybe swap it for one of their holdings in North Africa, maybe play a game of poker for them in some winner takes all televised special. Maybe make it a quiz game, I’d go for a bullseye format (might appeal to the Spanish until they find out its darts based), us prols love a bit of Bully.

Robert Ledsam
Robert Ledsam
4 years ago

There are more ships on the picture than the write says are involved. 6 ships hardly large!

Martin
Martin
4 years ago

I’m not sure there is a mechanism in NATO to even do this.

Dion
Dion
4 years ago

Turkey will unfortunately be sucked into Putins sphere of influence if NATO don’t let them do what they deem as necessary for the security of the country which is why the USA has pulled out of Syria and left the Kurds to fend for themselves! Turkey is a key strategic country/partnership in a cauldron of uncertainty.