The Italian Navy-hosted and NATO-led anti-submarine warfare exercise Dynamic Manta 2017 began yesterday off the Sicilian coast with ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 10 allied nations coming together to train.
Submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United States, under the control of Commander, Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO), will join 10 surface ships from Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States.
Nine Maritime Patrol Aircraft and three shore based helicopters from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States will operate from Sigonella Air Base under the control of Commander, Maritime Air NATO (COMMARAIRNATO).
“NATO’s annual anti-submarine-warfare exercise Dynamic Manta remains one of the most challenging exercises and an excellent opportunity for NATO nations’ naval forces to practice and evaluate their anti-submarine skillset in a challenging environment, ” said NATO Maritime Air Commander Commodore Andreas Vettos , Hellenic Navy.
“This exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces’ war fighting skills in all three dimensions of anti-submarine-warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment. We appreciate the outstanding host nation support of the Italian Navy that is required to make this challenging and effective exercise happen.”
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.