FIVE WARSHIPS from four allied nations have arrived in Glasgow ahead of a major Nato exercise in Scottish waters.
The vessels and their crews will spend time at Glasgow’s King George V Docks before sailing to participate in Exercise Sea Breeze.
The exercise, which is jointly led by the United States and Ukraine, will provide nations with the opportunity to practice working together with their closest allies and partners.
Taking place over the next two weeks, most of the activity will take place in the vicinity of Arran, Campbeltown and the Northern Minches between June 24 and July 5.
Ships from Estonia, France, Germany, and Ukraine will be taking part in the exercise, where partner nations will refine tactics, techniques and procedures on “mine countermeasures operations”.
Personnel from Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Japan, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, United States, and the United Kingdom will also participate in the Nato exercise.
The annual exercise has been relocated from the Black Sea to Glasgow due to the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.
Ukraine is not currently part of Nato, although it has been seeking membership. The two Ukrainian ships which are set to arrive in Glasgow will eventually operate in the Black Sea, clearing mines from vital sea lanes.
A similar exercise took place in Glasgow last year, as Russia’s war in Ukraine has made it impossible for ships and personnel to practice in the Black Sea.
