Dynamic Manta 2026 Kicks Off in Sicily
One of NATO’s most significant anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills, Dynamic Manta 2026, organized by NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and hosted by the Italian Navy, has begun off the coast of Sicily after allied naval units sailed from the port of Catania.
The exercise brings together 10 allied nations: Türkiye, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France and the United States. It aims to enhance interoperability and joint operational capabilities against underwater threats.
First-Day Activities
On the first day, participating submarines included Türkiye’s TCG 1. İnönü (Gür-class), Italy’s “Venuti,” and Greece’s “Katsonis.”
Surface assets taking part in the drills included Italy’s Schergat frigate and “Vulcano” replenishment ship, Spain’s “Navarra” frigate, as well as the Bergamini-class frigate “Virginio Fasan” of Italy and Greece’s “Limnos,” both assigned to NATO’s Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). Italian Navy AW101 helicopters provided aerial support.
Allied units conducted maneuvering and “VINCEKS” exercises, helicopter approach drills, and submarine diving and surfacing operations on the opening day.
Türkiye Deploys Submarine and Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Türkiye, which regularly participates in Dynamic Manta, deployed one submarine and one P-72 maritime patrol aircraft to this year’s exercise. Turkish naval assets will take part in scenarios focused on detecting, tracking and simulating the neutralization of underwater threats.
“We Will Train as If at War”
Bret Grabbe, Commander of NATO Submarines, said at the opening ceremony that Dynamic Manta is NATO’s most important anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Mediterranean.
Grabbe emphasized that the drill brings together high-end, real-world assets from across NATO and multiple operational theaters. He noted that submarines from Greece, Italy and Türkiye will operate alongside surface ships with ASW capabilities, such as “Fasan,” and maritime patrol aircraft from 10 NATO nations.
Stating that forces will train “as if at war” throughout the exercise, Grabbe said operations will be integrated across the undersea, surface and air domains. Submarines will alternate between hunter and hunted roles, while surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft will practice detecting, tracking and simulating the engagement of threats.
Responding to a question about Türkiye’s contribution, Grabbe said Türkiye is one of 14 allied nations with anti-submarine warfare capability and is operating under NATO Operational Control (OPCON), as it routinely does throughout the year. He added that NATO values the presence of professional Turkish submariners who serve within NATO Submarine Command year-round.
Dynamic Manta 2026 is scheduled to continue until March 6.
