Exercise Northern Viking took place in the GIUK Gap (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom), a strategic location and key chokepoint for naval and air traffic between North America and Europe. Ensuring the security and freedom of navigation in this area is essential for both NATO’s collective defence strategy and for maintaining global maritime security.
Held from 24 August to 3 September 2024, this multinational exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and executed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, brought together naval, air and land components from NATO Allies including Iceland, Denmark, France, Norway, Poland and Portugal. They included the ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) - NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida, FGS Rhoen, FS Aquitaine and HNLMS De Ruyter.
Throughout Northern Viking, participating forces engaged in a series of complex joint operations, including anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations. These activities were crucial in refining the tactical proficiency of the NATO forces, enhancing their ability to operate seamlessly in a high-intensity and multi-domain environment. The exercise scenario was based on a hypothetical threat to Iceland's national security, designed to test and validate NATO’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to any crisis that could threaten the strategic lines of communication in the GIUK gap.
A key component of Northern Viking 2024 was the focus on surveillance and deterrence. In a region that remains a focal point for geopolitical competition, maintaining robust surveillance capabilities is essential for early warning and rapid response to potential threats. The exercise provided a valuable opportunity for NATO Allies to demonstrate and refine their ability to conduct coordinated surveillance and reconnaissance operations, crucial for monitoring the vast maritime expanse and ensuring situational awareness.