High North Mission Boosting NATO Presence in The Norwegian Sea

Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) has kicked off its second High North deployment of 2025, reinforcing Allied vigilance and maritime awareness in the strategically vital Norwegian Sea.

The task group, led by flagship HNLMS Van Amstel alongside HMCS St. John’s and FGS Hamburg, will strengthen NATO’s presence in the region amid increasing operational demands.

Operating in the High North allows SNMG1 to hone its skills in one of the world’s most challenging maritime environments while maintaining a strong, visible NATO presence.

Commander of SNMG1, Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Arjen Warnaar, highlighted the continued importance of regular Allied operations in the region.

“The High North is a very important area of interest for the Alliance. Our second deployment here this year demonstrates NATO’s commitment to readiness, cohesion and stability. The cooperation and professionalism of our multinational task group — with units from The Netherlands, Canada and Germany — ensure we remain prepared to operate effectively across the full spectrum of maritime tasks.”

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