Anadolu Turkish Maritime Task Group, operating under NATO’s Allied Reaction Force (ARF), deployed from Türkiye earlier this month and will arrive in Rota, Spain on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in support of exercise STEADFAST DART 2026.
STEADFAST DART provides a critical opportunity for Allied forces to train in a realistic, high-intensity environment, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defence posture
The Task Group brings a robust, fully national naval force structure, to the exercise, consisting of TCG Anadolu (Landing Helicopter Dock – LHD), TCG Derya (Logistics Support Ship), TCG İstanbul (I-Class Frigate), TCG Oruçreis (Barbaros-Class Frigate).
In addition to its surface combatants, the Task Group integrates a wide range of air and amphibious capabilities, including rotary-wing assets, amphibious assault vehicles, and unmanned aerial systems, enabling seamless execution of joint and combined amphibious operations across multiple domains.
(It is important to note, these vessels have been designed and built in Türkiye, reflecting the country’s growing defence industrial capacity, while contributing directly to NATO’s operational effectiveness at sea and ashore.)
STEADFAST DART provides a critical opportunity for Allied forces to train in a realistic, high-intensity environment, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. It also underscores Türkiye’s role as a key maritime contributor, capable of leading and sustaining complex multinational amphibious operations.
As part of Türkiye’s commitment to NATO collective defense and crisis response, the Turkish Naval Forces assumed the roles of Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Commander Landing Force (CLF) from Jul. 1, 2025, to Jun. 30, 2026. It marks the first time Türkiye has undertaken these key NATO command responsibilities.
Between Jan. and Apr. 2026, the Anadolu Turkish Maritime Task Group will operate across an extensive maritime area, including the Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay, English Channel, North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Adriatic Sea, while participating in several high-profile NATO activities including exercise STEADFAST DART.
Through its leadership of CATF and CLF roles and the deployment of a fully capable amphibious task group, Türkiye continues to demonstrate its commitment to NATO’s shared security objectives, collective defence, and rapid crisis response.