Since the accession of Finland and Sweden, the Baltic Sea has transformed into a vital strategic space for the Atlantic Alliance, while simultaneously serving as a prime theater for hybrid warfare targeting subsea cables and pipelines. Launched on November 9, 2026, with Sweden as host nation, Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26 demonstrates the strengthening of NATO’s undersea deterrent posture.
Complex Acoustics and Seamless Allied Coordination
The Baltic Sea presents one of the most challenging acoustic environments in the world due to its shallow waters, variable salinity, and dense commercial shipping traffic. To master this domain, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) built around the Dutch replenishment ship HNLMS Den Helder, the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, the Danish frigate HDMS Esbern Snare, and the Finnish missile boat FNS Hamina operates in close synergy with Swedish Visby-class stealth corvettes (Helsingborg and Gävle).
Three-Dimensional Tracking and Seabed Warfare
The exercise stages live tactical duels against conventional German and Swedish submarines, backed by the coordinated deployment of French, British, German, and Swedish maritime patrol aircraft. Beyond classic submarine hunting, Dynamic Merlin 26 integrates new counter-hybrid tactics to guarantee freedom of navigation and safeguard Northern Europe’s critical undersea infrastructure.
