Beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea, a high-stakes game of hide and seek is about to begin. Submarines operating silently beneath the waves. Warships searching from above. Maritime patrol aircraft scanning vast stretches of sea. All working together in one of NATO’s most demanding forms of maritime warfare – anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
Conducted in the Baltic Sea, from 9 – 13 November 2026, NATO brings together forces from eight Allied nations off the coast of Sweden for Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26, a major multinational exercise designed to test Allied ships against submarine, anti-ship missile and drone threats.
At the heart of the exercise are two Allied submarines, from Germany and Sweden, operating alongside surface warships, maritime patrol aircraft and thousands of military personnel. Together, they will take part in realistic anti-submarine warfare scenarios, testing the coordination, technology and tactical skills needed to operate effectively in the Baltic Sea’s challenging underwater environment.
Building on the success of NATO’s Dynamic Manta, Dynamic Mongoose and Playbook Merlin exercises, Dynamic Merlin 26 strengthens how Allied forces detect, track and respond to underwater threats.
Speaking at the start of the exercise, Commander Submarines NATO, US Rear Admiral John Craddock, said “Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26 marks an important milestone in the evolution of NATO’s anti-submarine warfare training in the Baltic Sea. Having been conducted twice before as Playbook Merlin, the exercise is now formally incorporated into Allied Maritime Command’s established Dynamic series of exercises, alongside Dynamic Manta and Dynamic Mongoose. This progression reflects both the success of the previous iterations and the growing importance of strengthening our anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the Baltic Sea. It demonstrates NATO’s commitment to building on lessons learned, adapting to emerging threats and ensuring our Allied forces remain ready to operate together in one of Europe’s most strategically important maritime regions.”
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is a complex, multi-domain mission that relies on close coordination between surface ships, submarines, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. While integrating these different capabilities can be challenging, it is also the most effective way to detect, track and respond to underwater threats. Each platform brings unique strengths: surface ships provide endurance and the ability to deploy ASW helicopters; maritime patrol aircraft offer speed and the capacity to search vast areas quickly, while submarines excel at covert detection and tracking. By combining these complementary capabilities, Allied forces can conduct more effective and coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations.
With the Baltic Sea playing a vital role in Allied security, Exercise Dynamic Merlin 26 brings these capabilities together to strengthen NATO’s ability to operate seamlessly in the air, on the surface and beneath the sea, safeguard vital maritime routes and respond effectively to underwater threats.
Surface ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Netherlands, and Sweden will participate in the exercise. Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from France, Germany, Sweden and the UK are also taking part.
Dynamic Merlin 2026 brings together new tactics, emerging technologies and operational lessons, including training to counter hybrid threats, ensuring NATO forces remain at the forefront of undersea warfare.
As the security environment in the Baltic Sea continues to evolve, NATO’s maritime forces are training together, adapting to emerging threats and strengthening their ability to operate as one. Above the waves, on the surface and deep beneath the sea, Allied forces remain vigilant, united and ready to protect the Alliance and its vital maritime interests.
SNMG1 is one of NATO’s four Standing Naval Forces, maintained at high readiness to provide persistent maritime security, assure freedom of navigation and respond rapidly to emerging threats across the Alliance.
