NATO’s Allied Command Transformation has launched Task Force X Baltic as a key component of its initiative to rapidly develop and adopt new technologies, aiming to integrate uncrewed maritime systems into Allied operations at speed. More than a technology trial, Task Force X Baltic demonstrates how operational experimentation, multinational cooperation, and technological innovation converge to enhance Alliance readiness in an increasingly contested maritime domain.
The initiative unfolded in phases across Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands throughout June with a multinational demonstration that streamed real-time operational data from uncrewed aerial, surface, and underwater platforms directly to the NATO Summit in The Hague. The exercise not only showcased emerging technologies, but also how nations can adapt and contribute uniquely within a cohesive framework.
- Denmark’s Operational Leadership and Civil-Military Integration
In the southern Kattegat, Denmark hosted one of the core Task Force X Baltic sea trials, providing vital operational infrastructure and leadership. Rear Admiral Søren Kjeldsen, Danish Navy, described how the exercise brought together 16 maritime unmanned systems from six different companies, enabling a dynamic testbed for interoperability.
According to Rear Admiral Kjeldsen, “Denmark has actively supported Task Force X during the past three weeks of operations in the southern Kattegat, providing valuable operational insight to us.” The Danish Navy’s emphasis was not just on testing platforms but on data fusion: “This has allowed us to explore how to merge data from multiple sensor platforms into a shared operational picture. This was successfully achieved and presented via live streaming to the Heads of States and Governments at the NATO Summit in Den Haag this past week.”
Denmark’s experience in Maritime Uncrewed Systems operations will inform future doctrine and procurement priorities. Kjeldsen stressed the enduring value of collaborative innovation: “It is crucial that we continue to explore and test how close cooperation between industry and the armed forces can accelerate innovation in developing new maritime systems.”
Importantly, Denmark sees this work as part of a broader strategic responsibility. “Our key task going forward will be to ensure that the systems being developed remain aligned with military requirements and support military tasks — both operationally and strategically,” Kjeldsen noted, highlighting the need for sustained dialogue among military, industry, and academia.
- Finland’s Strategic Integration and Regional Vigilance
While Denmark brought seasoned maritime operational experience, Finland, one of NATO’s newest Allies, demonstrated how national capabilities can be swiftly adapted to meet Alliance needs. Eero Kytömaa, Ministerial Adviser at the Finnish Ministry of the Interior’s National Security Unit, brought a whole-of-government perspective to the exercise, rooted in Finland’s recent experience with undersea infrastructure incidents.
Kytömaa explained that “we have just actually, last week, introduced a completely new legislation on critical infrastructure resilience and the new measures how to better protect infrastructures.” This legislation follows Finland’s direct involvement in undersea incidents in the Gulf of Finland, including the Eagle S case. “I was the point of contact towards the NATO allies on writing the situation reports, and informing the allies on what’s going on,” he noted.
The Finnish approach reflects a strong national surveillance capability that now contributes to broader deterrence efforts. “One could say that, at the moment, not much happens in the Baltic Sea area without our knowledge or our allies’ knowledge,” Kytömaa observed. “So this is a very, very high surveillance. And of course, it raises stakes for malign actors to try to do something.”
Finland’s participation in Task Force X Baltic helped reinforce its view that undersea infrastructure resilience must be treated as an alliance-wide issue. “We are very happy to see the Baltic Sentry, the enhanced vigilance in the Baltic Sea region, and also activities from the European Union,” Kytömaa said. “We are, at the moment, trying to make sure that all the initiatives that focus on the critical infrastructure protection, critical infrastructure resilience are coordinated.”
The financial stakes are significant. Kytömaa pointed to one recent example: “The latest incident that we currently are fixing, the Estlink electricity connector, we’re talking about 200 million euros.” Beyond cost, such attacks could have cascading societal effects. “If somebody starts to target these interconnections, it can cause really huge amounts of problems in our societies.”
- Interoperability, Deterrence, and the Role of Technology
Both Denmark and Finland underscored that deterrence is not solely about platforms—it is about visibility, integration, and responsiveness. Rear Admiral Kjeldsen reflected on how Task Force X Baltic advanced this goal: “Activities like this strengthen our ability to work among Allies and test the interoperability of new systems — which is fundamental for NATO’s future maritime activities; in peace as well as in conflict.”
For Kytömaa, the deterrent value of new technology lies in its ability to raise costs for adversaries. “We are already witnessing big, big steps. For example, making the data cables as sensors. There is new technology—autonomous undersea vehicles that can manoeuvre around our critical infrastructure sites,” he explained. While absolute protection is unrealistic, a layered approach can mitigate risk. “It’s a mix of approaches, and technology is an important part of that.”
He added that Finland’s familiarity with its own complex maritime terrain makes it a strong contributor to NATO efforts in the region. “We have actually quite a long and difficult coastline, and we are very skillful in maneuvering in our territorial waters.” Finland also contributes Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance data through private satellite companies, providing critical insight for Alliance planning.
- Strategic Unity in Practice
Task Force X Baltic reflects NATO’s evolving ability to merge national capabilities into shared operational outcomes. Denmark’s hands-on leadership and Finland’s agile integration offer complementary models of how Allies can contribute to rapid adoption and multi-domain vigilance.
As NATO prepares to institutionalize rapid innovation through the Rapid Adoption Action Plan framework, Task Force X Baltic provides a template not only for maritime operations, but and for how the Alliance can leverage its diversity of perspectives into cohesive, forward-looking defence solutions.
From real-time sensor integration to political signalling at the highest levels, Task Force X Baltic has shown that NATO’s unity is political as much as it is operational, technological, and resolute.