SVK Military Police maritime team to assist in guarding the international waters of the Baltic Sea

Starting from today (26 May 2022), members of the SVK Military Police (MP) will be tasked with patrolling duties on board a German Navy frigate during its deployment with the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) in the Baltic Sea. Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer attended the departure ceremony for the FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F218) and waved off the ship as she set sail for her operational deployment from the Wilhelmshaven Naval Base.

In a visit to the Wilhelmshaven Naval Base, Marian Majer met his German counterpart, Siemtje Möller for talks on SVK-DEU defence cooperation and the security situation in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. After that, he enjoyed a tour of the German Navy Museum Wilhelmshaven.

As part of its predeployment training (PDT) for SNMG1, the SVK Military Police Boarding Team, made up of 11 service personnel, underwent thorough national PDT training in Slovakia before undertaking specialist maritime training in Germany.

Speaking about NATO patrols in the Baltic Sea, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: “I am very proud that our service members will be taking part in the operations in the Baltic Sea, which, given todayʼs security situation in Europe, represents an area of increased interest. I believe itʼs not only the presence of yet another frigate, but, above all, the cooperation of additional allied nations in the area that can reinforce NATOʼs deterrence potential. It is our unity that the aggressor fears most.”

Originally, the FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F218) along with the 11-strong SVK Military Police Boarding Team was to be deployed on operations in the Mediterranean Sea, however, because of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the need to strengthen NATO's defence and deterrence capabilities, the German side made the decision to deploy the frigate with the NATO task force in the Baltic Sea, he reminded. In a meeting with his German counterpart, Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer highlighted the strength of the SVK-DEU defence relationship and expressed the determination to continue developing this dynamically evolving area of cooperation, at least from the Slovak side.

The SVK military policemen will be performing duties in the maritime patrolling role until mid-July 2022. Consistent with the SVK Parliament-approved mandate, they can be deployed with SNMG1 for up to six months.