From April 21 to May 29, the FLF Aconit joined Task Group 441.01 under NATO operational control, the Alliance’s standing maritime force in the North Atlantic. While patrolling the Baltic Sea, tactical command of the FLF was delegated to Commander Task Force Baltic “CTF Baltic,” the NATO structure responsible for implementing the enhanced vigilance activity BALTIC SENTRY.
In this context, FLF Aconit has adopted a demonstrative and dissuasive posture in an area with high strategic stakes. The protection of critical underwater infrastructures represents the heart of the BALTIC SENTRY activity , the mission consisting of monitoring any suspicious behavior around them, preventing and deterring any aggression or malicious act.
In this respect, the presence of the Aconit has allowed the French to affirm their desire to participate fully in the defence of the maritime areas of NATO and EU member states. The presence of a French asset in the Baltic Sea also contributes to the independent assessment of the situation by the French armed forces in the area.
The FLF Aconit ‘s stopovers in the Baltic Sea countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway) also provided an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the French armed forces and its allies . They enabled high-level training activities to be conducted with local navies, thus contributing to increased interoperability within NATO.