Sweden is the host nation for the exercise Playbook Merlin 25, conducted in the Baltic Sea between 10 and 14 November. The exercise focuses on anti-submarine warfare, involves participation from nine NATO countries, and is one of NATO Allied Maritime Command's (MARCOM) annual exercises.
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish corvettes HMS Helsingborg, HMS Karlstad, HMS Gävle, and HMS Sundsvall are participating, along with submarines from Sweden and Germany. The exercise is led by MARCOM, and also includes maritime patrol aircraft from the United States, as well as surface vessels and helicopters from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
– Sweden plays an essential role in maritime security in the Baltic Sea, says Rear Admiral Bret Grabbe, head of NATO's submarine operations, in the Swedish Armed Forces' press release.
The exercise builds on a previously established format and is conducted in an area where the seabed features significant variations in depth and topography. According to the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish coastal landscape provides a complex environment that offers realistic conditions for anti-submarine warfare.
– As the newest member of NATO, the Swedish Navy is proud to once again host Merlin. By sharing our knowledge of the Baltic Sea region, we enhance security and stability, while building a stronger NATO capable of meeting today's security challenges, says Chief of the Navy Johan Norlén in the same press release.