This week, the U.S. and NATO allies will begin exercises in a reduced format in the Baltic Sea, reported German armed forces representative Stefan Geiss.
Officials claim that the reduction in the scale of the maneuvers is due to Western naval forces being engaged in other areas, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. They are currently not focused on the Baltic.
However, the U.S. naval exercises BALTOPS, which will take place from June 4 to June 20, will still be the largest maneuvers in the Baltic Sea this year, and Washington will provide the flagship USS Mount Whitney.
USS Mount Whitney is an American Blue Ridge-class command ship that has officially served as the flagship of the U.S. Sixth Fleet since 2005.
This unique vessel serves as a floating headquarters and is one of the most technologically advanced command centers in the world. Due to its abundance of antennas and advanced satellite, radio-electronic communication, and monitoring systems, the ship is often informally referred to as the 'floating Pentagon.' It can transmit and receive vast amounts of classified data from anywhere on the planet.
It is noted that BALTOPS will begin with exercises in the western part of the Baltic Sea and then move eastward to practice replenishment and the protection of free sea routes around the Swedish island of Gotland.
In recent months, NATO member countries bordering the Baltic Sea have intensified inspections and detentions of tankers and cargo ships associated with Russia.
