Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) forces and personnel from seven allied nations practiced together in the Central Mediterranean Sea.
Between February 22 and March 5, submarines from Greece, Italy, Turkey, and the United States under NATO Submarine Command joined surface ships from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.
Maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United States also assisted with the execution of the exercise, which included both ASW and multi-threat scenarios. The Standing NATO Maritime Group Two was also in attendance (SNMG2).
Complex and successful interactions between Dynamic Manta participating units and the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group (CSG) were also carried out during the exercise's sea phase. The surface units' anti-aircraft warfare capabilities were enhanced by an air defense exercise with CSG air assets (4 x Rafale).
The CSG also took advantage of the opportunity to communicate closely with the submarines that were taking part in the exercise.
These types of exercises improve NATO interoperability, demonstrate NATO presence in key strategic areas, and reassure Allies of the maritime commitment to collective defense.
SNMG2 will resume its activities after the Dynamic Manta exercise, including a transit to the Black Sea, where it will perform its first phase of deployment in the region in 2021.
SNMG2 is one of four standing forces that make up the maritime component of the NATO Response Force's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) (NRF).
Additional forces may be added to these groups to respond to crisis situations, with NATO command staff on board and the Group's ships serving as the base, capable of providing timely support to NATO operations.
Maritime Business World