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JEVER, GERMANY (BNS): A large fleet of warships, submarines, frigates and aircraft from 10 NATO countries and one non-NATO member has congregated here to take part in the ‘Brilliant Mariner’ maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea.

The 10-day long multi-nation naval drill began here on April 12, 2010. It will engage the NATO forces to respond to a number of challenges, including asymmetric or terrorist threats, maritime security operations and embargo operations “in a realistic scenario,” a NATO statement said.

The exercise will see participation of 6,500 defence personnel, 31 warships, 28 aircraft and four submarines that will operate in the Northern European waters and airspace.

The French Navy, which is commanding the maritime exercise, has sent 10 of its warships and 30 aircraft.

Its naval fleet includes aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, amphibious warship Mistral, under-attack submarine Emeraude along with other frigates. The aviation fleet includes Mirage fighter aircraft, Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft along with other planes.

The countries participating in the huge military drill are Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, USA, France, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom and Sweden. Sweden, a non-NATO member, is taking part in the exercise as a ‘Partnership for Peace’ country.