NATO Deploys Naval Drones in Baltic Sea

23 February, 2025 NATO naval drones during deployment in the Baltic Sea. Source: Naval News The North Atlantic Alliance has deployed surface drones in the Baltic Sea as part of the Task Force X program.

Naval News reported on this. The deployment took place off the coast of Denmark from February 17 to 20 and was aimed at testing USV interoperability with a maritime task group. During the operation, joint maneuvers and firing were practiced, as well as enhancing the situational awareness of the forces involved in the Baltic Sentry mission.

NATO naval drones during deployment in the Baltic Sea.

Source: Naval News

The Task Force X initiative was launched in early February 2025 to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea from sabotage threats. The deployment of maritime drones as part of Baltic Sentry was announced at the beginning of the operation.

NATO naval drones during deployment in the Baltic Sea. Source: Naval News

As reported by The War Zone, the operation will involve at least 20 naval drones.

Baltic Sentry

On January 14, it was reported that NATO had announced the launch of a new operation, Baltic Sentry, to protect the region's maritime infrastructure.

The announcement was made during the NATO Baltic Summit with the participation of Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

Dutch F-35A fighter jets over the Baltic Sea. Source: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands

At the summit, the region's leaders discussed the growing threat to critical underwater infrastructure. As part of the Baltic Sentry, ships and aircraft will provide protection.

The Secretary General also announced the deployment of a fleet of maritime drones.

In late January, F-35A multirole fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force also joined the mission.