Belgian frigate Leopold I sets sail for NATO mission in North Atlantic
The frigate Leopold I set sail on Tuesday for a two-month deployment as part of a permanent NATO fleet. The Belgian navy vessel will operate first in the North Sea and then in the North Atlantic, along key shipping routes for European trade, the Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday.
"In practice, this means that, together with ships from other NATO countries, we will be training for maritime combat missions in all dimensions and as part of a fleet: maritime air defence, anti-submarine warfare, the neutralisation of enemy ships, and so on," said the commander of the Leopold I, commander Jan Gacas, in a press release.
The frigate forms part of SNMG1, NATO's permanent maritime task group. Its mission encompasses ensuring a credible maritime presence in strategic sea areas, conducting maritime surveillance and protecting key sea lanes, strengthening operational cooperation between allied navies, and maintaining a high level of readiness at sea.
The Leopold I will also take part in international activities including Operation Brilliant Shield, a joint defence exercise, and the Sail4th Fleet Parade in New York to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Minesweeper on standby for Strait of Hormuz
The Ministry of Defence notes that its navy is simultaneously active on several fronts. The Belgian minesweeper Primula is part of NATO's permanent mine countermeasures fleet in the Mediterranean. The deployment is a response to the evolving security situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where the vessel could be sent if required.
The Primula is tasked with ensuring maritime security and combating illegal activities, while remaining ready to deploy to the Strait, where it could detect, identify and neutralise mines. Depending on its position in the Mediterranean, moving there could take up to two weeks.
© BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS
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