Swedish Mine Countermeasure ships HMS Ulvon and HMS Vinga joined SNMCMG1 in an intensive period of joint training in the important waterways leading into Gothenburg. The five ships of SNMCMG1 and two Swedish minehunters worked side by side, bringing the NATO Mine countermeasure community and Sweden even closer.
Welcoming our Swedish partners into this community is something we look forward to and it will be a force multiplier for us
The aim behind this HODOPS was to dispose of one mine from WWII found previously by the Swedish Navy. Ships also searched the surrounding area for further possible threats to maritime traffic in Swedish territorial waters. This enhanced joint mine countermeasures training resulted in a find of more than 30 minelike contacts.
Welcoming our Swedish partners into this community is something we look forward to and it will be a force multiplier for us.
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Sweden is one of NATO’s closest and most important partners, and the Swedish MCM community has spent many years training with colleagues from NATO. This cooperation has given them a high star rating through their professionalism and advanced technology. This latest exercise has brought the Swedish and NATO MCM community even closer, proving that we are stronger together.
“Welcoming our Swedish partners into this community is something we look forward to and it will be a force multiplier for us,” said Commander, SNMCMG1 Royal Norwegian Navy Commander Ole Torstein Sjo. “Working together during this operation is easy as we share both common values and common procedures. Adding Sweden to the equation will certainly make us stronger and more capable.”
During the operation, SNMCMG1 was made up of Estonian Navy ship ENS Sakala, Belgian Navy BNS Bellis, Royal Norwegian Navy flagship HNoMS Nordkapp, German Navy FGS Rottweil, and French Navy FS Pegase.