NATO to conduct historical ordnance disposal and inspect critical infrastructure in Gulf of Finland

Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group One (SNMCMG1) will conduct historical ordnance scanning and disposal in the Gulf of Finland, off the coast of Hanko and Porkkalanniemi, from 3 to 14 November 2025.

Baltic Sentry activities launched by NATO early this year are to continue in the Baltic Sea. In addition to their ordnance disposal capability, SNMCMG1 Mine Countermeasure Vessels are equipped to carry out underwater scanning for various purposes, which allows them also to inspect and monitor critical underwater infrastructure while at sea.

There is still a substantial number of sea mines dating back to the First and Second World Wars on the bottom of the Baltic Sea in Finland's neighbouring areas, although they do not as such pose a risk to sea traffic.

- Operations dealing with real historical ordnance in the Baltic Sea provide excellent training opportunities for the SNMCMG1 vessels.  At the same time, these joint efforts with NATO helps us control and know sea routes and critical infrastructure better, Deputy Chief of Staff Navy Operations, Captain (N) Marko Laaksonen says.

Before activities in the Baltic Sea, SNMCMG1 will visit the port of Turku from 31 October to 3 November 2025. A Finnish Katanpää-class mine countermeasures vessel will operate alongside SNMCMG1. The current flagship of SNMCMG1 is Latvian Navy Ship Virsaitis.