NATO to hold major BALTOPS 24 drills in Baltic Sea

Dozens of ships and thousands of sailors will gather in NATO's largest exercises BALTOPS 24 in the Baltic Sea on June 5.

Lithuania expects over 30 allied NATO warships, more than 4,000 sailors, marines, naval aviators, and other naval specialists in the Klaipeda port as part of the exercise preparations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian Armed Forces.

During the exercises, amphibious landings, fire support, anti-submarine warfare, air defence, mine search and defusion, actions of surface and underwater drones, and other operations will be carried out.

Sweden, which has been a member of BALTOPS since 1990, is participating in the exercises for the first time as a NATO member.

The exercises are organized by the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Command and the US 6th Fleet. The Striking and Support Forces Headquarters will provide command and control of the exercises.