NATO recently showcased its underwater surveillance capabilities through a demonstration of unmanned surface vessels in the Baltic Sea. This initiative is part of the alliance’s broader strategy to deter potential sabotage threats against critical undersea infrastructure in the region.
The trials, which took place near Denmark from February 17 to 20, involved a combination of manned and unmanned assets engaging in live-fire exercises and tactical operations.
The drone boats deployed during the event were part of the Task Force X initiative, which was launched earlier this month by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation. This program aims to enhance patrol efforts in the Baltic by integrating autonomous technologies from various member nations.
“This framework allows all nations to contribute by deploying their autonomous capabilities, helping to bridge surveillance gaps, especially in areas beyond the reach of current systems like the Automatic Identification System,” stated Adm. Pierre Vandier, commander of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, in a press release.
The demonstration also featured ships from NATO’s Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, as well as vessels from the Royal Danish and German Navies.
In a recent interview with Defense News, Vandier hinted that NATO’s first fleet of naval surveillance drones is expected to incorporate reliable, battle-tested platforms, drawing inspiration from the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59. Task Force 59 specializes in integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence within the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain.
According to an Allied Maritime Command press release, Task Force X will also adopt insights from successful operations such as the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 66, which focuses on uncrewed maritime systems in the Europe-Africa region.
Established in 2023, Task Force 66 comprises both military and civilian experts who test various unmanned maritime technologies in diverse operational environments distinct from those in the Gulf. Last year, the group launched a pilot program aimed at improving maritime domain awareness, during which it tested the Ocean Aero Triton platform’s autonomous underwater and surface vessels, as reported by USNI News.
