NATO ships arrive in Estonia

Two ships belonging to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) arrived in Tallinn for a port visit on Monday, docking at Old City Harbor, with a third vessel, an accompanying allied tanker, docking at Muuga Harbor, just northeast of the Estonian capital, Report informs, citing foreign media.

"Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is here for the second time this year ⁠— that is confirmation of NATO's consistent presence in our region," Capt. Johan-Elias Seljamaa, deputy commander of the Estonian Navy, said according to an Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) press release. "It is as a result of such visits that we find more and more opportunities for cooperation with our allies."

A practical aspect of such visits is also the opportunity for the ships and their crews to get acquainted with local maritime features and conditions.

The Dutch joint support ship and current SNMG1 flagship HNLMS Karel Doorman (A833) and the Portuguese NRP Corte-Real (F332), a Vasco da Gama-class frigate, docked at Tallinn's Old City Harbor on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the RFA Tidesurge (A138) a British Tide-class replenishment tanker accompanying the other two ships, docked at Muuga Harbor.

While in port, Commodore Jeanette Morang, commander of SNMG1, is scheduled to meet with Maj. Gen. Veiko-Vello Palm, deputy chief of the EDF, as well as Ministry of Defense Undersecretary for Defense Planning Tiina Uudeberg.