WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Fredericton joined the annual NATO anti-submarine training exercises in the North Sea, the Canadian Department of National Defense announced in a press release.
“Under the command of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), HMCS Fredericton will participate in the annual Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training exercise off the coast of Norway from May 4 —14, 2015,” the release, issued on Monday, said.
Canada is joining the Dynamic Mongoose exercise as part of its deployment under Operation Reassurance, which is Canada’s response to alleged Russian military aggression toward Ukraine, according to the release.
HMCS Fredericton is the first modernized frigate to deploy in support of Canadian government security objectives, the release explained.
Participation in Dynamic Mongoose will demonstrate the capability HMCS Fredericton’s weapons, sensors and upgraded electronic warfare system.
Dynamic Mongoose includes forces from France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey the United Kingdom and the United States, the release said.
The US-led NATO military alliance has been boosting its military presence and activities in Eastern Europe and in the Black Sea since the start of the 2014 conflict in Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over an increased NATO presence near Russian borders and plans by the Unites States and its allies to place more anti-missile defense systems in Europe.
