NATO In General

[Pelican]

New (old) kids on the NATO block


Comment

While Finland and Sweden have maintained close relations with NATO since its foundation, their decisions to apply for membership will fundamentally change the dynamics of operations and international cooperation in the Baltic Sea.

To paraphrase Petula Clark, ‘when you’re alone, and life is making you lonely, you can always go’ NATO.

With the historic decisions from Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership, the Baltic Sea will effectively become a NATO sea, bordered on all sides by alliance members, except for the Russian mainland coast and the Kaliningrad oblast.

While the Finns and the Swedes have long trained with each other and the navies of NATO, their decision to join the alliance – if it gets over political hurdles raised by Turkey – will see two small but competent forces integrated into the alliance structure.

Continues at - https://editions.shephardmedia.com/2022 ... index.html

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[Pelican]

More American nuclear submarines arrive in Scotland

Two American submarines arrived on the River Clyde in Scotland this week on routine visits, marking a significant increase in allied submarine activity.

It’s not rare for American submarines to visit but this level of activity is rare. It’s rarer still for the visits to be publicised but that didn’t stop the U.S. Navy issuing a press release for the arrival of the USS Rhode Island, the first American Trident missile carrying submarine to visit Faslane since 2019, at the start of last month.

See - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/more-am ... wEp4ogVJqc

[There has also been a marked increase of NATO ships visiting Pompey, Guz and elsewhere in the UK.]

And of course others:
The Lookout

Northbound under the Great Belt Bridge today:
Akula-class SSN Vepr
Udaloy-class DDG Severomorsk
Ingul-class rescue tug Pamir
Photos at - https://twitter.com/The_Lookout_N/statu ... 5026805760

[Pelican]

SWEEPERS/LAYERS OUTBOUND FROM PORTSMOUTH

https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7793860611

https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 6273133568

[Pelican]

NATO MOVEMENTS

There have been many of such movements at Pompey, Guz and Faslane over the past months.
Italian destroyer ship arrives, German frigate leaves - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BTSLrxdtQE

Link from Tim.

[Pelican]

HMS QNLZ is one of 5 allied aircraft carriers currently deployed on training / exercises / operations across the Euro-Atlantic region in a display of coordinated unity, strength and resolve by NATO.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 5511804931

Farewell Warship 78 Tug SD Tempest assists the Ford turning to head east down the Solent today.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7147879429

[Pelican]

Five Allied aircraft carriers – including Britain’s flagship – are currently operating in Atlantic and Mediterranean waters in a demonstration of NATO unity.

From the cold grey expanses of the North Atlantic and northern waters to the warmer confines of the Adriatic and azure Mediterranean, five of the most powerful warships in the alliance – plus their supporting carrier strike groups – are deployed, training or exercising as part of their regularly scheduled activities.

Although each nation’s forces are operating in support of their own mission objectives, the advanced cooperation is part of a demonstration of NATO unity and the collective defence of the Alliance.

The five carriers are
• HMS Queen Elizabeth – currently in the North Sea ahead of NATO/Joint Expeditionary Force exercises/training in northern European waters
• USS George H W Bush – on operations in the Adriatic
• USS Gerald R Ford – at anchor in Stokes Bay, Gosport, on a short visit to Portsmouth
• France’s FS Charles de Gaulle and Italy’s ITS Cavour – both in the Mediterranean

Continues, including photos, at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... KOhFjmO_64

[Pelican]

Royal Navy Vice Admiral appointed new NATO commander

See - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... QGi60vHBX4

[Pelican]

Ships of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 heading up the Thames for visit to London yesterday.
HNoMS Nordkapp (Flagship) FGS Rottweil HNLMS Schiedam and HNoMS Otra

Photos at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7355789317

[Pelican]

We welcome Finland to NATO, becoming the 31st nation to join the Alliance.

#WeAreNATO

See - https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/16 ... 0876511234

[Pelican]

NATO chief to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos

On January 15, 16, and 17, NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will attend the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr Stoltenberg will participate in a plenary session. In the margins of the event, he will have bilateral meetings with other international leaders.

16 January 2024 – 13:00 (CET), Plenary Session: Securing an Insecure World. A panel discussion with the NATO Secretary General and other leaders.

The panel discussion will be streamed live on the NATO website and the WEF’s website. A transcript of the Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures, will be made available on the NATO website.

Source UKDJ