ΝΑΤΟ update

 

Supercarrier: crossing the Atlantic on the USS Gerald R. Ford The largest warship in the world, and the US Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, crossed the Atlantic for its first operational deployment in 2022. What was it like to sail the high seas on a floating airbase? The Ford is the largest and most powerful ship in NATO’s maritime arsenal. The first in a new class of super carriers, the Ford uses electromagnetic catapults to launch jets, breaking with the steam-powered system used by carriers for decades. This new system requires fewer sailors to operate, and its power levels can be calibrated for specific aircraft, leading to less wear and tear and lower long-term maintenance costs. Sailing from Halifax, Canada – its first foreign port of call – the Ford took part in exercise Silent Wolverine, a series of drills off the coast of Portugal involving 11 ships from six NATO Allies. During the exercise, the Ford launched and recovered strike fighters, surveillance aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft and helicopters while coordinating with ships from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. Working together in a multinational carrier strike group, the drills gave NATO Allies a chance to see the Ford in action and familiarise themselves with its systems. Click here to download the video.  You can also watch the video on YouTube.

4 August 2023 Update

NATO Innovation Fund closes on EUR 1bn flagship fund Twenty-three NATO Allies have officially become Limited Partners of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), which is preparing to make its initial investments later this year. The Participating Allies (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom) have also welcomed Sweden's interest to join the NIF. Sweden's participation will take effect upon its accession to the North Atlantic Treaty. READ MORE

From intern to innovator – meet NATO’s Moritz Zimmermann Moritz Zimmermann started at NATO as an intern. Now, he’s the Deputy Chief of Staff of a team establishing the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic. READ MORE Demonstrating agility and capability, Germany conducts swift fighter deployment to Iceland The German Air Force has started the deployment of a fighter capability to Iceland to conduct an Agile Combat Employment (ACE). From August 1 to 10, Eurofighters are conducting training in the High North and work with the Icelandic Coast Guard and other regional Allies. (Story courtesy of Allied Air Command) READ MORE NATO Task Groups unite for multi-threat mine counter measures exercise in the Mediterranean Sea The combined forces of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) joined in the Central Mediterranean to test themselves against the challenging exercise scenario of a minefield at sea. (Story courtesy of Allied Maritime Command) READ MORE Supercarrier: crossing the Atlantic ocean on the  USS Gerald Ford The largest warship in the world, and the US Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier, crossed the Atlantic for its first operational deployment in 2022. What was it like to sail the high seas on a floating airbase? WATCH VIDEO Relations with Ukraine The security of Ukraine is of great importance to NATO and its member states. The Alliance fully supports Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence, and its right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraine’s future is in NATO.  READ MORE

NATO-Ukraine Council addresses serious security situation in the Black Sea The NATO-Ukraine Council met on 26 July 2023 to address the serious security situation in the Black Sea region following Russia’s unilateral termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg convened the meeting following a request for crisis consultation from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană chaired the Council. READ MORE

NATO Deputy Secretary General discusses NATO Summit outcomes at the Aspen Security Forum Speaking at the 14th annual Aspen Security Forum on 20 July 2023, Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană outlined the major decisions taken at the recent Vilnius Summit to strengthen NATO and ensure its ongoing adaption to a more dangerous world. READ MORE France proves force projection capabilities with fighter deployment to Indo-Pacific region More than a month into an air force deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, the French Air Force has demonstrated a sustained force projection capability and built relationships with French and Allied forces in the region. (Story courtesy of Allied Air Command) READ MORE NATO Allied air forces conduct electronic warfare exercise in Baltic Sea region From 17 to 21 July, Exercise Ramstein Guard offered an opportunity to Allied forces in Lithuania to conduct Electronic Warfare (EW) drills under the command and control of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem (Germany). (Story courtesy of Allied Air Command) READ MORE Colourful jerseys on a warship’s flight deck Ever wondered why these warship sailors wear different coloured jerseys and cranials on the flight deck? A hundred years ago, when the US Navy’s first aircraft carrier USS Langley set sail, the sailors created a colour-coded system to ensure order and safety on the flight deck. In today’s navy, our Allied sailors still use this colour-coded system to conduct flight operations efficiently on a warship. WATCH VIDEO The 2023 NATO Summit in retrospect John Weaver SUBSCRIBE