Exercise FREEZING WINDS – NATO Baltic Maritime Security

NATO strengthens maritime security in the Baltic Sea during Exercise FREEZING WINDS, hosted by Finland under harsh winter conditions.

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Press Release, Brussels, 05 December 2025: As security challenges in the Baltic region continue to evolve, NATO and Allies are intensifying efforts to protect vital sea routes and critical infrastructure. Maintaining freedom of navigation and safeguarding key maritime areas remain essential for the security of Allied nations.

Exercise FREEZING WINDS 2025, hosted by Finland, brought together ships from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) and other Allied units to train side by side in the Baltic Sea’s harsh winter conditions. Over several days, naval forces, divers, and mine counter-measure teams practised joint operations to ensure readiness against diverse threats — from detecting and neutralising underwater threats to responding to disruptions affecting vital sea lines of communication. The exercise took place from 24 November to 4 December 2025.

This exercise complements NATO’s BALTIC SENTRY enhanced vigilance activity, launched in January 2025 to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the region. Since its inception, BALTIC SENTRY has helped deter hostile activity, and there has been no maligned damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. This proactive effort underscores NATO’s unwavering commitment to security and resilience in an increasingly complex environment.

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