HELSINKI, May 6 (Xinhua) -- NATO is to stage an exceptionally large military exercise in the Baltic Sea later this month, according to Finnish media report Sunday.

    The exercise will be held between May 14 and May 25 in the territorial waters of Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Poland.

    Taking part in the NATO exercise will be some 80 vessels, several aircraft and around 10,000 people from 17 nations including coastal state members of the alliance, and the United States. Finland and Sweden will be participating under the auspices of the Partnership for Peace program.

    The exercise will be the biggest in the Baltic Sea since 1999. Mine sweeping and the fight against terrorism will be among the themes of the exercise.