The multinational naval exercise Sea Breeze 2020 commences in Ukraine on July 20.
Sea Breeze seeks to build combined capability and capacity to ensure maritime regional security and foster cooperative relationships among partner nations. It is in its 20th iteration and is scheduled to involve 2,000 personnel from eight nations, comprised of 27 ships and 19 aircraft.
The main aim of the exercise is to bring together NATO Allies and partners in the Black Sea to strengthen maritime security and stability while building interoperability and cohesion.
Eight countries are participating in the exercise includes Bulgaria, Georgia, Norway, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United States.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) has entered the Black Sea to participate Sea Breeze 2020 on 19th July. Porter, along with additional U.S. Navy P-8 aircraft from Patrol Squadron VP (47), will be participating in the U.S. and Ukrainian co-hosted exercise Sea Breeze.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise will focus on exclusively in the sea phase with the involvement of aviation including anti-submarine, above water warfare.
The exercise is planned to finish on 26th July.