NATO exercise Dynamic Manta (DYMA22) began off the Sicilian coast on February 21, with personnel and assets from nine ally nations in attendance.
In addition to submarines from France, Greece, and Italy, and surface ships from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, UK and the US, the exercise is attended by maritime patrol aircraft from Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, UK and the US.
The aim of the annual Dynamic Manta exercise is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare disciplines while maintaining focus on safety.
“NATO’s maritime power lies in the ability of the Standing Forces to rapidly join with high readiness, high capacity national forces to deliver effects when and where needed,” Rear Admiral Stephen Mack, Commander Submarines NATO said. “Exercises like this, along with regular training between allied navy units and our multinational Standing Naval Forces, is a force multiplier that provides a collectively trained and interoperable force, ready to work together as the maritime portion of the VJTF [Very High Joint Readiness Task Force].”
“This exercise is a visible demonstration of the Alliance’s ability to cooperate and effectively integrate,” Mack said. “Alliance unity, solidarity, and cohesion are the core of NATO.”
As the host nation, Italy is providing support in the Catania, Augusta and Siracusa harbor, naval helicopter base in Catania, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Trapani Air Base as well as logistical support (refueling operations, medical assistance and personnel accommodation) from Augusta naval base.
Each surface ship will have the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations. The submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, closely coordinating their efforts with the air and surface participants.
Dynamic Manta is one of the two major anti-submarine warfare exercises led every year by NATO Maritime Command. The other exercise is the Norway-hosted Dynamic Mongoose, which hones the same skills, but in colder waters.
