A US warship just joined up with NATO’s new mission to blunt undersea sabotage for the first time

USS Bulkeley has joined NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission.

US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nye

A US Navy destroyer has joined NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission for the first time.
The mission, announced in January, was launched to prevent undersea sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
Most of the participating assets are European, but US surveillance planes have been involved.

For the first time since operations began earlier this year, a US Navy warship is patrolling with NATO’s new Baltic Sea mission to protect critical undersea infrastructure from sabotage.

USS Bulkeley, a guided-missile destroyer, joined the Baltic Sentry mission this week, a defense official told Business Insider on Wednesday.

The defensive mission is largely comprised of European assets, including ships and aircraft. American P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft have intermittently assisted in operations for the past 10 months; however, the new inclusion of USS Bulkeley in the mission marks the first time a US warship has been involved, the official said.

The tasking was driven by availability, they added.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers like the Bulkeley are advanced warships capable of a range of missions. They are armed with around 100 missile tubes armed with weapons for air defense and strikes, including powerful Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), center, participates in exercise At-Sea Demonstration (ASD) / Formidable Shield (FS) 2025. — USS Bulkeley is the first US Navy warship to join Baltic Sentry since the mission was announced in January.

US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nye

NATO announced the Baltic Sentry mission in January. The alliance effort is aimed at protecting critical undersea infrastructure following a string of sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea. Some of the malign activity has been linked to Russia.

As part of Baltic Sentry, NATO forces have been patrolling the region to deter harmful activity, which some Western officials have attributed to an ongoing hybrid warfare-style campaign being waged by Moscow.

Tensions between the Kremlin and European leaders have risen significantly in recent weeks following a string of Russian drone and aircraft incursions into the airspace of several NATO allies, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia.

Unspecified drones have also been spotted around airports and military bases in Denmark. In response to the incursions, NATO said over the weekend that it would commit additional assets to Baltic Sentry, including multiple intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms, and at least one air defense frigate, the German vessel FGS Hamburg.

Cdr. Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesperson for NATO’s Allied Maritime Command, told Business Insider that the deployments highlight “the flexibility and agility of this enhanced vigilance activity, and that there is more to it than just the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.”

A US Navy P-8 flies by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caitlin Flynn

He said that “the presence of FGS Hamburg operating near Denmark for Baltic Sentry enhanced vigilance activities sends a message of assurance and cohesion within the alliance.”

Earlier this month, after NATO forces shot down a number of Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during an attack against Ukraine, the alliance announced another operation — Eastern Sentry — aimed at protecting its eastern edge.

Several countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK, have since deployed fighter jets to the Eastern Sentry mission to help patrol NATO airspace.

NATO officials told Business Insider that while the two missions focus on different areas — Eastern Sentry on the alliance’s east and Baltic Sentry on maritime activity around the Baltic Sea — they are closely coordinated and improve the alliance’s overall defense.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Content Accuracy: Keewee.News provides news, lifestyle, and cultural content for informational purposes only. Some content is generated or assisted by AI and may contain inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. Readers are responsible for verifying the information. Third-Party Content: We aggregate articles, images, and videos from external sources. All rights to third-party content remain with their respective owners. Keewee.News does not claim ownership or responsibility for third-party materials. Affiliate Advertising: Some content may include affiliate links or sponsored placements. We may earn commissions from purchases made through these links, but we do not guarantee product claims. Age Restrictions: Our content is intended for viewers 21 years and older where applicable. Viewer discretion is advised. Limitation of Liability: By using Keewee.News, you agree that we are not liable for any losses, damages, or claims arising from the content, including AI-generated or third-party material. DMCA & Copyright: If you believe your copyrighted work has been used without permission, contact us at dcma@keewee.news. No Mass Arbitration: Users agree that any disputes will not involve mass or class arbitration; all claims must be individual.

Channels

Recently Played

A US warship just joined up with NATO’s new mission to blunt undersea sabotage for the first time

I moved to a small mountain town in Italy. The community I’ve found here beats anything I’ve had in the US.

A woman moved her dog from New York to London on a cruise because it was cheaper and less stressful than flying

Sponsored Advertisement

Channels

Recently Played

A US warship just joined up with NATO’s new mission to blunt undersea sabotage for the first time

I moved to a small mountain town in Italy. The community I’ve found here beats anything I’ve had in the US.

A woman moved her dog from New York to London on a cruise because it was cheaper and less stressful than flying

Related Posts

The family of a Qatar Airways passenger who died after choking du ...

Starbucks just launched its new protein cold foam lineup. It nail ...

Gen Z is redefining the ‘lipstick effect’ with matcha and designe ...

Sponsored Advertisement