In the coming weeks, NATO will begin using maritime unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) as part of Operation Baltic Sentinel.

This was reported by The War Zone.

The operation is aimed at protecting underwater infrastructure, primarily energy and communication cables running under the Baltic Sea.

The maritime drones will help improve situational awareness, which will allow the participants in the operation to respond more quickly to potential threats. However, the exact model of the drones to be used has not yet been determined.

“NATO’s SAC Transformation Command (SACT) will offer several new USVs at lightning speed. I expect that in less than a few weeks, we will hand them over to NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) and begin using these drones for constant, round-the-clock surveillance of critical areas,” French Admiral Pierre Vandier, ACT Commander, stated.

As the Admiral explains, the plan envisages the creation of a unified information network that will combine all images, video and radar intelligence data to share this data “with all stakeholders.”

A NATO spokesperson told The War Zone that at least 20 maritime drones would be deployed in Operation Baltic Sentinel.

According to him, ACT and NATO’s Joint Command are finalizing the specific capabilities required. Key requirements include providing situational awareness using mostly passive sensors and having enough platforms to cover the areas of interest.

At the first stage of deployment, the USVs will be under the direct control of operators, but over time, it is planned to provide them with the ability to perform certain tasks autonomously.

Baltic Sentinel

The announcement of the launch of the Operation Baltic Sentinel was made on January 14, 2025, during the Baltic Summit.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that recent sabotage had damaged energy and communication cables, but he was confident that, working together with all Allies, the countries would do everything necessary to ensure the security and protection of not only critical infrastructure but also “everything we hold dear.”

Earlier, on December 26, 2024, it was reported that Finland had detained the Eagle S tanker suspected of damaging a cable. The vessel, which was transporting oil from Russia to Egypt, is suspected of deliberately cutting communications between Estonia and Finland, as it was passing near the site of the damage at the time of the incident.