NATO Mediterranean drill begins ahead of Türkiye leading Amphibious Task Force for 1st time

ISTANBUL

A NATO exercise in the Mediterranean began Monday ahead of Türkiye taking command of the alliance's amphibious task force starting in July.

NATO launched Exercise Dynamic Mariner / Flotex 25 held from March 24 to April 4 in the western Mediterranean and Atlantic, including Spanish waters, according to a statement issued over the weekend by NATO.

For the first time, the Turkish Amphibious Task Force will take on the roles of Allied Reaction Force Commander Amphibious Task Force and Commander Landing Force starting in July.

The exercise features 30 surface units, two submarines, air assets, and 1,500 marines and personnel from six NATO nations: France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye.

The multinational maritime drill aims at strengthening allied cooperation, improving readiness, and securing key sea lanes, while emphasizing training the Spanish Navy as it prepares to assume the NATO Allied Reaction Force Maritime element in July.