Today, at the Flensburg-Mürwik Naval Academy, the Ministers of the Interior and State Secretaries from ten countries bordering the Baltic Sea are discussing the security situation and how to counter hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region in future. The situation has deteriorated since the start of Russia’s war of aggression.
The hybrid threat landscape
Recurring patterns, which are usually suspected to be the work of Russia, include the disruption of GPS-based navigation, the spying on and damaging of undersea cables, the increased presence of Russian naval units, either accompanying ships from the ‘shadow fleet’ or stationed at outposts in the western Baltic Sea region, but above all the use of drones – for example, for jamming or espionage operations.
Alongside Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, Norway and Ireland are also taking part in the “Baltic Sea Security Summit”; the latter is participating as it currently holds the EU Presidency.
Demonstrations on the fjord
Depending on the weather, operational demonstrations are also due to take place on the Flensburg Fjord off the Naval Academy, illustrating various scenarios such as the defence against drones or the boarding of a ship from a helicopter. The Federal Police’s GSG 9 special forces unit will also be taking part in the demonstration. It has not been announced whether there will be any water barriers in place during the demonstrations. Initial results of the summit are due to be announced this afternoon.
More on safety in the Baltic Sea:
- GPS interference: What should you do if the plotter breaks down?
- Naval presence: What sailors need to know about the Baltic Sea
- Russian Navy: The role played by the destroyer off Fehmarn
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
