Frigate Louise-Marie departs for NATO mission to border with Russia
The Belgian frigate Louise-Marie has left the Zeebrugge naval base on Monday for a new NATO mission. The mission, which lasts about two months, takes the Louise-Marie first to the Baltic Sea and later to the border area with Russia. The purpose of the mission is deterrence and exercise with various NATO partners.
The Louise-Marie will again be part of a permanent NATO maritime task force. Its mission is to ensure stability in the region, but also to improve maritime security. The presence of the task force in the region is “essential to respond quickly to possible threats”.
In the first phase of the mission, the frigate will participate in the “Baltic Sentry” mission, aimed at protecting submarine infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. That mission was launched after submarine cables between Finland and Estonia were damaged late last year.
The departure of the Belgian frigate Louise-Marie for a NATO mission © BELGA VIDEO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
During the second phase, the Louise-Marie will participate in the multinational NATO exercise “Joint Viking”, a military exercise at the border with Russia. The aim is to train together and thus to strengthen deterrence in the region.
This mission is the Louise-Marie's first operation under the leadership of new commander Jan Gacas, who assumed command of the ship in December last year. “We adopt a very flexible attitude and get information through NATO on where we are needed,” stated Gacas. “By training with others, we increase our readiness. This is how we keep acting at a high level.” The ship carries between 130 and 140 people.
The Belgian frigate Louise-Marie © BELGA PHOTO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
Related news
