NATO exercise Dynamic Manta 2021 ended on Friday, 5 March 2021, off the Sicilian coast, NATO Maritime Command announced a press release. The exercise was commenced on February 22.
The assets and personnel from seven allied nations exercised together in the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) training.
Submarines from Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the United States under NATO Submarine Command joined surface ships from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey between 22 February and 5 March.
Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United States also supported the exercise’s execution in both ASW and multi-threat exercises. Participation also included the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2).
“The regular participation of SNMG2 in these major exercises is an essential tool to keep Force’s high readiness, improve interoperability and reinforce cohesion between allies and, no doubt, contributes to NATO success,” said the Rear Admiral Manuel Aguirre, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two.
Dynamic Manta 2021 exercise
During the exercise’s sea phase, complex and fruitful interactions between Dynamic Manta participating units and Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group (CSG) were also carried out. An air defense exercise with the CSG air assets (4 x Rafale) increased the surface units’ anti-aircraft warfare capabilities. Furthermore, the CSG also took advantage of the opportunity to conduct a close interaction with submarines participating in the exercise.
Exercises such as these enhance interoperability between NATO nations, show NATO presence in critical strategic areas, and assure Allies of the maritime commitment to collective defense.
After completing the Dynamic Manta exercise, SNMG2 will resume its activities, including the transit towards the Black Sea, where it will conduct its first period of deployment in the region for 2021.
SNMG2 is one of four standing forces that comprise the maritime component of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF), which is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF). To respond to contingency situations, additional forces can be added to these groups, with the NATO command staff on board and the Group’s ships as the nucleus, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.
