NATO Commences Advanced Anti-Submarine and Multi-Domain Warfare Exercise in Baltic Sea
By Staff Writer, Stockholm
Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26, a significant anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, commenced on November 9 and is scheduled to conclude on November 13, operating off the coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) describes the exercise as a complex simulation involving both detection and evasion in a challenging undersea environment.
The exercise involves surface ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), an integral component of NATO’s immediate reaction forces, alongside naval assets from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are also participating, supported by thousands of military personnel.
The SNMG1 task group includes the Dutch combat support ship HNLMS Den Helder, serving as flagship; the German combat support ship FGS Berlin; the Canadian multi-role frigate HMCS Ville de Québec; the Danish anti-submarine warfare frigate HDMS Esbern Snare; and the Finnish fast attack corvette FNS Hamina.
NATO Allied Maritime Command stated that Dynamic Merlin 26 builds upon lessons learned from previous exercises, including Dynamic Manta, Dynamic Mongoose, and Playbook Merlin. The exercise aims to introduce and refine new tactics, technologies, and operational procedures, thereby enhancing Allied forces’ ability to adapt to an increasingly complex undersea environment.
Rear Admiral Johan Norlén, Chief of the Royal Swedish Navy, speaking aboard the HNLMS Den Helder in Stockholm, characterized the Baltic Sea as “a very unique and in some ways extreme area” for naval operations. He elaborated that the region has been “a hotspot for some time now,” indicating its heightened strategic importance. Rear Admiral Norlén emphasized that the combined presence of SNMG1, Swedish forces, and other allies in the area provides “a very good opportunity to show our mutual commitments and also strong resolve to deter our adversary from doing anything else in the area.”
He further noted that Sweden, as NATO’s newest member, is using the exercise to “show what we can actually contribute with inside NATO, and in this regard, in the underwater domain.” Rear Admiral Norlén also mentioned Sweden’s intention to “opt for CTF Baltic here in a couple of years,” signaling a potential future leadership role or significant contribution to a Combined Task Force in the Baltic, which he described as “Sweden’s way of also showing very strong commitment to the alliance.”
Explaining the specific difficulties of anti-submarine warfare in the Baltic, Rear Admiral Norlén highlighted the shallow, confined nature of the sea, where “the bottom is always in play,” and the presence of differing water temperatures caused by cold river water flowing into the sea. These hydrographic conditions create complex sound propagation layers, making submarine detection and tracking significantly more challenging than in deeper ocean environments.
Rear Admiral John Craddock, Commander Submarines NATO, confirmed that Dynamic Merlin is now in its third year, with continuous evolution of anti-submarine warfare tactics. He praised the HNLMS Den Helder for its capabilities during the exercise.
Rear Admiral Nicolas Molitor, the French officer commanding SNMG1, detailed a pre-sail conference held in Stockholm with all participants. Discussions focused on exercise protocols, safety, security, and crucially, enhancing collaboration, sharpening technical skills, and improving interoperability among allied forces. He stated that the exercise “will also show the resolve of NATO of working together and deterring whoever adversary we have.”
Rear Admiral Molitor pointed out that the exercise brings together navies accustomed to “blue water” operations in deep oceans, with those experienced in the “very, very shallow” and specific environment of the Baltic. He reiterated that NATO’s increased presence in the region is aimed at achieving “good situational awareness about what’s going on” and protecting vital sea lines of communication. He concluded by stressing the importance of safeguarding the interests, territory, and populations of NATO allies, as the Baltic Sea is now almost entirely surrounded by Alliance members.
This year’s iteration of Dynamic Merlin expands beyond traditional submarine hunting to incorporate scenarios involving anti-drone and anti-missile defense. Rear Admiral Craddock indicated that the exercise would build towards complex scenarios where submarines attempt to operate undetected while surface ships endeavor to locate and report their positions. He added that a “counter-drone element” is being integrated, acknowledging that “drone warfare is a real threat to everybody these days,” and emphasized the need to understand effective countermeasures to inform future equipment procurement.
Rear Admiral Molitor confirmed that the drone attack simulations would be conducted live and without prior warning. He stated, “They know that the threat exists during the exercise, but it will be live, so they will be challenged like it would happen in real life.” He stressed the importance of “train[ing] as we fight,” ensuring ships face realistic situations where they must react, detect, and potentially destroy targets. He added that existing counter-drone systems fitted to ships would be tested, noting that this domain is “in continuous evolution,” requiring rapid adaptation and improvement of systems.
Rear Admiral Norlén underscored the primary challenge of simultaneously managing threats both above and below the water. He stated, “We always talk about drones or anti-submarine warfare or missiles. The bottom layer here is that we are here to test and train together in all three dimensions at the same time. That is what makes it really complex.” He added that successful execution of such multi-dimensional defense would “send a very clear message about both our cohesion and our strong capability together.” He also highlighted the importance of testing how ships of varying sizes combine their defenses, recognizing that while “one ship may not be able to control everything or to defend themselves in every sense,” together, they can form “different layers of defence that can actually work much better together.”
Rear Admiral Craddock emphasized the critical role of such exercises in demonstrating NATO’s deterrence capabilities and reassuring allies. He noted that Dynamic Merlin 26 showcases the Alliance’s “interoperability” and “cohesion,” bringing together eight different nations for a high-end exercise. He elaborated that it serves as a demonstration of the Alliance’s ability to “convene quickly” if necessary, owing to established interoperability and communication protocols. “It is important for deterrence to show that you can, when necessary, bring together the right forces in the right location,” he stated.
He reiterated the Baltic’s strategic importance, declaring the protection of its sea lanes “essential,” and deeming this “rehearsal of concept in this location, where you need to have the mission succeed, it’s very important.” This year’s Canadian contribution is the HMCS Ville de Québec, following the HMCS St John’s participation in the previous year’s exercise. The HMCS Ville de Québec is also slated to sail with the UK Carrier Strike Group in 2025.
Why This Matters
Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26 holds significant implications for regional security, military readiness, and the evolving nature of warfare. Its execution in the Baltic Sea, a strategically critical waterway, underscores several key factors:
Geopolitical Significance of the Baltic Sea:With Sweden and Finland’s recent accession, the Baltic Sea is now almost entirely bordered by NATO member states. This transformation elevates the region’s strategic importance, making its security directly integral to NATO’s collective defense architecture. Exercises like Dynamic Merlin demonstrate NATO’s commitment to protecting its extended eastern flank and maintaining freedom of navigation in these waters, which are vital for trade and energy security.
Deterrence and Assurance in a Tense Environment:In a period characterized by heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, demonstrating robust military readiness and interoperability serves a dual purpose. It sends a clear message of deterrence to potential adversaries, signaling NATO’s capability and resolve to defend its territory and interests. Simultaneously, it provides crucial reassurance to allied nations, particularly those geographically proximate to potential flashpoints, reinforcing the Alliance’s commitment to mutual defense.
Adapting to Evolving Threats and Technologies:The inclusion of live drone attacks and multi-domain scenarios reflects a critical adaptation to the rapidly changing landscape of modern warfare. Lessons learned from recent conflicts, such as the extensive use of unmanned aerial and maritime systems in Ukraine, highlight the pervasive and dynamic nature of drone threats. By integrating these scenarios, Dynamic Merlin enables NATO forces to develop and test comprehensive defenses that integrate air, surface, and sub-surface capabilities, ensuring they are prepared to counter complex, simultaneous threats in a realistic operational environment.
Enhancing Interoperability and Tactical Advancement:The exercise serves as a crucial platform for testing new technologies, refining anti-submarine warfare tactics in challenging environments like the shallow, hydrographically complex Baltic, and enhancing interoperability among diverse national forces. The ability of multiple nations with varying naval traditions and equipment to operate seamlessly is fundamental to NATO’s strength. This continuous evolution of tactics and technology, combined with improved interoperability, is vital for maintaining a decisive military edge.
Sweden’s Integration into NATO:As NATO’s newest member, Sweden’s prominent and active participation in Dynamic Merlin 26, including highlighting its specialized expertise in the underwater domain and its ambition for future leadership roles (such as a Combined Task Force Baltic), signifies its rapid and full integration into the Alliance’s defense architecture. This active contribution immediately strengthens NATO’s capabilities in a vital region and demonstrates Sweden’s strong commitment to collective security.