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Latvian naval ships, divers join NATO-led mine clearance exercise in Baltic Sea

Xinhua, November 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Ships of the Latvian Naval Forces Flotilla and a team of divers on Monday joined a mine clearance exercise, held in the Baltic Sea by Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 from Nov. 20-24, the Latvian naval coastguard service informed.

The objective of the training exercise Hodops is to clear shipping routes and fishing grounds of explosive objects, most of which have been lying at the bottom of the sea since World War I and World War II.

The multinational exercise is intended to help improve mine hunting procedures and enhance cooperation between NATO and Latvian troops.

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 currently comprises mine hunting vessels from eight countries.

Estonia, which has been commanding the mine countermeasures group since July 2016, will hand over its command to Latvia in July 2017. Endit