Continued focus on maritime surveillance

The NATO activity Baltic Sentry continues in Danish waters and in the Baltic Sea. The purpose of the activity is to monitor and protect critical underwater infrastructure against sabotage through increased presence. Danish Defence participates with a number of capabilities from the sea and in the air.

February 7, 2025 - 11:00
fregatten Niels Juel sammen med den franske minerydder Croix du Sud.

With Baltic Sentry, NATO has increased the surveillance of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Above, the frigate Niels Juel is seen with the French minesweeper Croix du Sud. The picture was taken in week 5. Photo: Theis Nielsen / Danish Defence

By Defence Command Denmark

 

In connection with the NATO activity Baltic Sentry, the Danish Defence has strengthened its capacity for maritime surveillance in both the Kattegat and the western part of the Baltic Sea. One of the capabilities that has been deployed is the frigate HDMS Niels Juel.

 

Until last week, Niels Juel patrolled the inner Danish waters along side other units from the Danish Navy and NATO allied forces. The units have all been engaged in joint maritime surveillance, but the cooperation also gave the units a unique opportunity to practice communication, emergency procedures and air defense with each other.

 

“The strengthened efforts both nationally and together with our allies means that we further improve our ability to identify situations that are outside the normal picture. In short; when we work closely with our friends, we are better able to face both threats and other hostile behavior,” explains acting ship commander of Niels Juel, commander Tor Jalk Jensen.

 

Her ses patruljefartøjet Rota under en havariøvelse med fregatten Niels Juel

Here, the patrol vessel Rota is seen during an emergency exercise with the frigate Niels Juel. This training was also done while both ships were a part of Baltic Sentry. Photo: Theis Nielsen / Danish Armed Forces

Heightened threat

When NATO activated Baltic Sentry, it was against the backdrop of an increased focus on hybrid threats against allies in Denmark's immediate area.

 

The presence of foreign state ships and the incidents surrounding critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea shows that our presence is necessary. The presence is adapted to the threat, and enables us to act defensively – but proactively – against emerging threats,” says Tor Jalk Jensen.

 

Over the weekend last week, the Russian research vessel Yantar arrived in Danish territory, and one of the more concrete tasks that Niels Juel solved was patrolling the area around the vessel, a task it took over from one of the Danish inspection vessels.

 

One of the Royal Danish Navy’s patrol vessels was also involved in the situation around Yantar.

 

“It was quite undramatic, but our presence sent a clear signal that we know that the Russian ships are here and that we are keeping a close eye on what they are doing,” says Tor Jalk Jensen.

 

Overall, the Navy’s increased presence contributes to de-escalating the threat picture and deterring actors who want to harm Denmark and its allies.

 

The frigate Niels Juel has now been withdrawn from maritime surveillance while the ship and crew are part of a larger international naval exercise. The Navy's other units are continuously deployed to Baltic Sentry while the activity is ongoing - currently, the inspection ship Triton is available for Baltic Sentry.

 

Niels Juel lpatruljerede nord for Læsø, hvor det russiske skib Yantar befandt sig.

Niels Juel patrolled north of Læsø last weekend, where the Russian ship Yantar was located. Photo: Theis Nielsen / The Danish Armed Forces