NATO summit to tackle Russian hybrid threats in Baltic Sea
The German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, warned about the threats related to continuous hybrid attacks by Russia in the Baltic Sea. "This is happening every day," he said during a visit to the naval air base in Nordholz, Lower Saxony. He also criticized the fact that "there are people in Germany who still do not want to accept this."
The situation in the Baltic Sea region will be a topic at the NATO summit in Helsinki on Tuesday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also participate, as informed by the deputy government spokesperson, Christiane Hoffmann, in Berlin.
This involves a stronger military presence of the Alliance, as well as discussions on "future handling of the threat posed by the Russian shadow fleet."
The head of the German Defense Ministry supports NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's intention to increase the Alliance’s presence in this region.
"It's a clear signal that as an Alliance, we will not tolerate sabotage and destruction but will jointly and decisively counteract it," the defense minister announced. NATO Chief Mark Rutte will also be present at the summit in Helsinki.
Pioneering role of Germany
According to a defense ministry spokesperson, the Alliance will likely announce more details about its plans in the coming week. Boris Pistorius added that Germany will also make a significant contribution. The details are currently being worked out by the Alliance, and the German command will be responsible for planning and coordination. In October, Germany and Norway also agreed on an initiative to establish regional centers for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, especially in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
The ministry of defense indicated this topic will likely be part of current NATO consultations. Pistorius noted that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the German navy has already "played a pioneering role" in NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea as part of the Baltic Guard operation.
Pistorius also pointed out in Nordholz the significant strengthening of the German naval air force thanks to new weapon systems, which are being purchased primarily from special Bundeswehr funds. Sea Lion-type helicopters have already been introduced into service, and the first Sea Tiger-type helicopters, equipped, among other things, for anti-submarine warfare, are expected this year. The Nordholz base is set to be expanded over the next ten years, with investments totaling roughly $410 million.
Located near Lower Saxony’s Cuxhaven, Nordholz is home to the naval air force command of the German armed forces. All aircraft of the German navy are stationed there. They operate independently or in conjunction with Bundeswehr naval ships in various operational areas.
