SNMG1 carries out electric warfare exercises with FlightOps of force helicopters during exercise Dynamic Guard. Credit: NATO Photographer Johanna Kohlberger via MARCOM – Allied Maritime Command.

Standing Nato Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 has begun Nato Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), exercise Dynamic Guard off the coast of Bergen, Norway.

Hosted by Norway, led by MARCOM, and supported by the Nato Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff (JEWCS), Dynamic Guard 23-I is the first serial of a multi-national, bi-annual electronic warfare exercise series of Nato.

SNMG1 is one task group out of the four standing Nato maritime groups with ships from several allied countries.

This exercise aims to offer tactical training for the Nato Response Force (Maritime) and allied national naval units.

The waters off the Norwegian coast will provide the exercise participants sufficient space to safely practice all procedures.

Following this week, the participating units are expected to achieve a new level of force integration and readiness.

During the exercise, Dynamic Guard provides capabilities to participating nations in a complete range of electronic warfare and anti-ship missile defence mechanisms, prepares SNMGs and national units to reach the highest level of interoperability in complex electronic warfare landscape.

SNMG1 commander, German Navy Rear Admiral Thorsten Marx said: “This exercise provides a unique opportunity to challenge operators with live simulation for instant assessment, requiring them to make the right decision for self-defence of the unit and the force in real-time.

“The waters off the Norwegian coast provide us with enough space to practice all procedures unhindered and safely. After this week, all participating units will reach a new level of force integration and readiness.”

Dynamic Guard offers training opportunity in warfare of high-intensity nature in a multinational task group as well as bolsters alliance preparedness and cohesion.

The SNMG1 participating ships include Polish frigate ORP General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Spanish frigate ESPS Alvaro de Bazan, and German frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Among the Norwegian vessels taking part in the exercise include Royal Norwegian Navy minelayer HNoMS Olav Trygvason and frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen.

Among the Allied nations taking part or providing collaborating assets to this exercise include Poland, Spain, Germany, and Norway.