Media: NATO plans to replace Baltic sea patrol ships with drones

NATO is shifting its strategy in the Baltic Sea, replacing costly naval patrols with a new high-tech approach centered on sea drones, sensors, and satellite surveillance.

The move comes as the alliance prepares to wind down Operation Baltic Sentry, which began in January, 2025, following suspected sabotage of undersea internet and power cables. While the operation's official end date remains uncertain, the focus is now turning to unmanned monitoring systems, Caliber.Az reports per Swedish Radio.

“We had the first couple of sea drones in the water back in March, but in June we will be deploying a fleet of 60 to 80 sea drones,” Jean Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, said  in an interview with the radio.

According to the information, the alliance now intends to test whether sea monitoring can be effectively carried out using maritime drones and satellites instead of military vessels.

Ellermann-Kingombe noted that traditional naval patrols demand significant resources, and drones offer a more sustainable alternative for long-term security in the region. NATO has not confirmed whether the operation has been definitively successful, but there have been no reported incidents since it began.

By Sabina Mammadli