The “Northern Coasts” 2024 exercise, which took place from September 16 to 22, involved several ships, a submarine, and several aircraft under the command of German Captain Kurt Leonards in the Baltic Sea. Approximately 700 soldiers were actively engaged in the maritime maneuvers, with several hundred additional personnel supporting operations from the naval base in Kiel. This year's simulated scenario presented a hypothetical attack on Germany.

In addition to the German Navy, military contingents from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—the Baltic NATO countries—joined forces with troops from Belgium, Denmark, Poland, France, and the United States. Initiated by the German Navy in 2007, “Northern Coasts” evolved significantly. While its early focus was on combating piracy and terrorism, it now emphasizes alliance defense, particularly along NATO's northeastern flank. This year’s objective was to enhance proficiency in naval warfare, incorporating the use of drones for both aerial and underwater operations.

During this year's “Northern Coasts” exercise, the NATO naval troops encountered Russian naval vessels. Although they were non-military vessels, even seemingly innocuous Russian support vessels are outfitted with advanced reconnaissance technology. NATO personnel suspected these ships were conducting surveillance in the Baltic Sea, albeit within international waters.

Their technical equipment enables them to intercept data from nearby cell phones, raising concerns about potential espionage. Consequently, the current “Northern Coasts” exercise briefly transformed into a reconnaissance mission for German forces, who sought to document intricate details of the Russian vessels, analyze their radio and radar signals, and interpret their behavior. Each facet of the Russian ships underwent meticulous scrutiny for intelligence assessment: Did they possess new antennas indicative of advanced surveillance technology? Were there onboard devices suggesting the presence of remotely operated underwater vehicles?

“Naturally, the Russians also had personnel on deck capturing images of us,” noted an observer. Throughout the exercise, both NATO and Russian naval vessels exercised caution, maintaining safe distances to avoid misunderstandings or unintended escalation. Pilots from the NATO force report that Russian ships point their fire control radar at them and man their guns as they fly past.

As part of “Northern Coasts,” the NATO task force navigated simulated minefields, practicing mine-laying, mine-clearing operations, and conducting convoy movements through cleared corridors. These exercises served as vital opportunities for NATO navies to refresh and reinforce their skills.

In the context of rising tensions in the eastern Baltic Sea, NATO participants frequently experienced GPS signal jamming and received false radio communications. These challenges further necessitated the practice of traditional analog communication methods, employing light and flag signals. Amidst the realities of cyber warfare, these age-old nautical practices became the new standard in the Baltic Sea.