NATO Drills Rehearse Ship Boarding, Helicopter-Assault & Air-Attack Scenario Against Simulated Threats

Forces of NATO countries practised facing potential Russian military threats in a recent drill organised off the British coast.

Called the Exercise Strike Warrior, the series of naval drills was conducted under the guidance of the U.K’s forces, and 1300 personnel from different NATO member countries participated in it.

The exercises included several simulated scenarios, including the capture of a ship whose crew members were played by simulated Russian paramilitary personnel, along with an air-attack scenario which included warships of the alliance.

In another naval drill, Portuguese marines practised ship boarding and gaining control of a vessel. They sent 10 troops from helicopters onto the vessel’s deck before launching an offensive.

The team was able to secure the vessel’s engine room and then also arrest the personnel who acted as the Russian paramilitary force.

Some exercises were conducted off the coast of Scotland, and in one of them, many frigates were placed near a German support vessel for a refuelling operation where they could face an air attack. In the scenario, the attack could have completely destroyed the vessels.

Through these exercises, NATO also wanted to send a message to Russia, defense experts said. Russia has kept a close eye on increasing NATO activities close to its western border in the last few years.

However, NATO has called it part of its initiative to keep ‘Russian aggression’ at bay, while Moscow has expressed concerns regarding the military buildup of the alliance in Europe.