Nato has commenced its submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Manta 2015 (DYMA 15) off the Sicilian coast, involving ships, submarines, and aircraft and personnel from nine Allied nations.
Conducted in the Central Mediterranean Sea, the exercise aims to offer participants complex and challenging warfare training to improve interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Standing Nato Maritime Group Two (SNMG-2) commander rear admiral Jörg Klein (German Navy) said: “Dynamic Manta 15 is one of the most challenging exercises dedicated to training in the anti-submarine warfare area.
“Dynamic Manta offers exceptional conditions to enhance the war fighting skills of all participating units in a multinational operations environment.”
The exercise will involve submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US, under the control of Nato Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO).
Five surface ships from France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the US will also join the exercise under the command of SNMG-2.
The surface ships will undergo variety of submarine warfare operations, while submarines will participate in training scenarios with the support of air and surface participants.
In addition, seven maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters from Canada, France, Italy, Turkey and the US will operate from Sigonella Air Base to support the simulated multi-threat environment.
Italy, the host nation, will support the exercise from both the Augusta Naval Base and the Sigonella Air Base in Catania.
Nato Submarines commander rear admiral Matthew A Zirkle (US Navy) said: “The large number of participating units in this year’s exercise is a clear demonstration to Nato’s commitment to the maritime domain and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.”
In May, Nato conducted its anti-submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, off the west coast of Norway, with the support of ten allied nations alongside partner nation Sweden.
The exercise also saw units participating in advanced warfare techniques in detection and classification, surface engagement, air engagement, and tactical coordination.