Finnish naval craft Hamina joins standing NATO maritime group

The Finnish Navy Hamina-class fast attack craft Hamina has joined a standing NATO maritime group (SNMG1) on Monday, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release.

Hamina will operate under NATO command for a month.

The vessel will operate under NATO command by the Transfer of Authority procedure and execute tasks assigned to SNMG1 by the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).

During this time period, the vessel will be conducting tasks mainly in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. In the Baltic Sea, the main tasks of SNMG1 are maritime surveillance and presence related to NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity. SNMG1 is currently commanded by Rear Admiral Nicolas Molitor from the French Navy.

“The fast missile craft with a good surveillance capability is extremely well suited for NATO activities in the Baltic Sea. SNMG1, and fast attack craft Hamina as a part of it, produce situation reports for the Alliance, and protect sea lines of communication and the critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea,” Commander Toni Joutsia said.

In November, two vessels from the Finnish Navy are operating under NATO command: in addition to fast attack craft Hamina, mine countermeasures vessel Purunpää is continuing its task in SNMCMG1.