# NATO anti-submarine exercise Dynamic Merlin begins in the Baltic Sea

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea
- Published: 2026-11-09
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: Maritime · Country: sweden
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea.md)
- Primary source: https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/om-forsvarsmakten/organisation/forsvarsgrenar-och-forband/marinen/nyheter/dynamic-merlin-starker-samarbetet-kring-ubatsjakt-i-ostersjon/
- Tags: dynamic merlin, nato, snmg1, swedish navy, baltic sea, sweden, swedish armed forces, standing nato maritime group 1, anti-submarine warfare, helicopter 14, hms trossö

> NATO's anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Merlin began in the Baltic Sea on 9 November, with Sweden hosting eight allied nations to strengthen joint submarine-hunting capabilities. Sweden contributed five corvettes, a submarine, a helicopter and support ship HMS Trossö, marking the third time it has hosted the drill, which is set to become one of NATO's standing naval exercises.

![Genrebild](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/1c6d68e2-467d-406d-cc13-557314158400/public)
*Genrebild · Försvarsmakten*

**NATO’s anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Merlin [began](https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/om-forsvarsmakten/organisation/forsvarsgrenar-och-forband/marinen/nyheter/dynamic-merlin-starker-samarbetet-kring-ubatsjakt-i-ostersjon/) in the Baltic Sea on 9 November, hosted by Sweden. Eight allied nations are taking part, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.**

— Sweden is prepared to take on a large responsibility within the alliance, and hosting this exercise is just one example of how we do that, says Chief of the Navy Johan Norlén.

Sweden is contributing five corvettes, one submarine, a Helicopter 14 and the support ship HMS Trossö. Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) is also taking part. Its ships were due to dock at Frihamnen in Stockholm on 6 November, ahead of the exercise.

According to the Swedish Armed Forces, the exercise aims to build NATO’s joint capability to hunt submarines. They point to the Baltic’s shallow, varied waters and to Sweden’s long experience of submarine hunting. They say Dynamic Merlin will become one of NATO’s standing naval exercises.

This is the third time Sweden has hosted the exercise. Last year’s edition, Playbook Merlin 25, [brought](https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/exercise-merlin-returns-to-the-baltic-sea-sweden-host-nation) together nine NATO countries, as reported by NDS.

## FAQ

**What is Sweden contributing to the Dynamic Merlin exercise?**

Sweden is contributing five corvettes, one submarine, a Helicopter 14, and the support ship HMS Trossö to Dynamic Merlin. The exercise, hosted by Sweden, began on 9 November and also includes Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. Chief of the Navy Johan Norlén said Sweden is prepared to take on large alliance responsibilities. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-09.

**Which nations are participating in Dynamic Merlin in the Baltic Sea?**

Eight allied nations are taking part in Dynamic Merlin, according to the Swedish Armed Forces. This marks the third time Sweden has hosted the exercise, following last year's Playbook Merlin 25, which brought together nine NATO countries. The exercise aims to build NATO's joint submarine-hunting capability. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-09.

**Why is the Baltic Sea used for NATO's anti-submarine warfare exercise?**

The Swedish Armed Forces point to the Baltic's shallow, varied waters as valuable terrain for anti-submarine training. They also cite Sweden's long experience of submarine hunting in this environment. Dynamic Merlin is expected to become one of NATO's standing naval exercises. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-09.

---
Nordic Defence Sector — independent newsroom covering the Nordic defence sector. When citing, attribute "Nordic Defence Sector" and link https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nato-anti-submarine-exercise-dynamic-merlin-begins-in-the-baltic-sea. Site guide: https://nordicdefencesector.com/llms.txt