Plymouth welcomes large fleet of NATO ships – Plymouth Herald

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A large fleet of NATO ships has arrived in Plymouth.

Nine frigates and mine countermeasure ships docked at Devonport today, causing some disruption on the Torpoint Ferry during the morning rush hour.

During their stay, the crews will take part in operational sea training and meet with Royal Navy commanders and civic leaders.

The ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group One (SNMCMG1) are due to stay at Devonport for a week.

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During that time they'll be taking part in the Royal Navy's world-renowned Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).

SNMG1, led by Norwegian Navy Commodore Ole Morten Sandquist, is due to arrive with the Norwegian flagship HNoMS Roald Amundsen and fellow SNMG1 ships, Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie, German tanker FGS Spessart, and Spanish frigate ESPS Reina Sofia.

Commodore Sandquist said: "Our mission is first and foremost to provide NATO with a continuous maritime capability for operations and other activities in peacetime and periods of crisis and conflict,

"During the upcoming period, we will support FOST as a mock opposing force the ships undertaking their certification training.

"We are looking forward to working closely with our allies in an advanced warfare training environment."

The mine sweepers, led by Estonian Navy Commander Johan-Elias Seljamaa, arrives at Devonport with the Estonian flagship ENS Admiral Cowan and British minehunter HMS Ramsey, Belgian minehunter BNS Narcis, Dutch mine countermeasures vessel HNLMS Schiedam, and Norwegian minehunter HNoMS Hinny.

Since the change of command on January 14, with Spain handing over command to Norway, SNMG1 has led and participated in exercises off the coast of Norway.

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Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) is one of four standing maritime forces composed of ships from various allied countries.

These vessels are permanently available to NATO to perform different tasks ranging from participation in exercises to operational missions.

They also serve as a consistently ready maritime force as a part of the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF).

SNMG1`s main area of operation is to the North Atlantic, including the Baltic Sea.

Its main objective is to provide immediate maritime capability to the NATO Alliance, enhancing maritime situational awareness, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits, exhibiting forward presence and contributing to operational inter-operability among allied naval forces to support greater regional security and stability.

The Royal Navy said that training, exercises and port visits, within a multinational force, NATO forces demonstrate its capabilities and readiness.

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Plymouth welcomes large fleet of NATO ships - Plymouth Herald