NATO member states test underwater capabilities off Sicilian coast

 The NATO’s annual naval training activities called Dynamic Manta began off the Sicilian coast in the central Mediterranean Sea on the morning of Feb. 26, NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) reported.

This year Dynamic Manta will bring together Türkiye, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the United States to train together. Seven Maritime Patrol aircraft and helicopters from Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Türkiye, the U.K and the USA will participate, marking the Allies’ long term commitment to Dynamic Manta.

"This maritime exercise led by Allied Maritime Command focuses on practicing submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) war fighting capabilities,” NATO’s MARCOM said in a statement on its site.

“The goal is to enhance the ability to perform naval tasks like sea control and sea denial, strengthening NATO's collective defense and crisis response capabilities."

The Mediterranean Sea with its complex underwater topography is noted to be an ideal field for exercises.

The Dynamic Manta exercise also serves as a platform for testing and strengthening the Alliance's crisis response capabilities.

The exercises will be held under the tactical leadership of Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito and are intended to demonstrate NATO's readiness to defend its members against any threat.

We are hunting submarines from sea, under the sea, and air as we prep for Dynamic Manta, @NATO’s largest and most complex ASW exercise in the Mediterranean! #DeterAndDefend #StrongerTogether #NATO pic.twitter.com/VXnIl6lB19

— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) February 24, 2024