Allied forces will deploy across the Mediterranean Sea from 23 February to 6 March, for NATO’s annual Exercise Dynamic Manta 26. This exercise is a key maritime activity designed to strengthen collective defence, reinforce Allied assurance, and deepen operational cooperation among participating nations.
The exercise will bring together submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, surface ships, from 10 Allied nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States. These nations participation demonstrates NATO’s ability to operate seamlessly across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.
Dynamic Manta is NATO’s premier anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, designed to enhance interoperability and operational effectiveness across the full spectrum of maritime operations.
This year’s exercise will integrate the use of an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), showcasing NATO’s commitment to innovation and the integration of emerging technologies in support of maritime security.
Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) will play a central role in Exercise Dynamic Manta, providing maritime command and control and enabling close integration and coordination of multinational surface forces, submarines, and air assets. The exercise highlights NATO’s persistent maritime presence in the Mediterranean Sea and reinforces the Alliance’s role in assuring Allies while contributing to deterrence across the maritime domain.
Italian Navy Rear Admiral Cristian Nardone, Commander SNMG2, highlighted the importance of the exercise.
“Exercise Dynamic Manta is a powerful demonstration of NATO’s unity and resolve,” he said. “By operating together in a demanding maritime environment we strengthen trust, sharpen our warfighting skills, and reaffirm our collective commitment to the defence of the Alliance.”
Dynamic Manta improves the ability of Allied forces to operate together, helping ensure the safety of maritime routes, the free movement of ships, and a rapid, effective response to any threat to Allied territory or interests.
US Navy Rear Admiral Bret Grabbe, Commander, Submarines NATO, emphasized the value of multinational cooperation in the sub-surface domain.
“Dynamic Manta provides an unmatched opportunity for Allied submarines, surface forces, and air assets to train together as one team. This exercise enhances our collective anti-submarine warfare capabilities and ensures NATO remains ready to defend Allied waters today and in the future.”
Through Dynamic Manta, NATO shows its ability to adjust to new challenges, work effectively together, and operate across sea, air, and subsurface environments, maintaining a strong and reliable maritime presence in support of Allied security.
As SNMG2 operates in a changing security environment, the group remains prepared to respond to crises, carry out operations, and support NATO’s wider objectives.
SNMG2 is one of four standing NATO maritime groups providing continuous maritime presence and readiness in peacetime, crisis and conflict. Exercises like this contribute to Allied assurance measures, enhance interoperability and demonstrate NATO’s ability to operate across the Mediterranean Region.