The exercise will include six nations, including Pakistan, Italy, Bulgaria , Romania, Spain and the U.S. In addition to the Turkish Naval assets, the exercise will include the Spanish frigate Alvaro de Bazan and the replenishment oiler Patino, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ross, the Pakistani river-class frigate PNS Zulfiqar, the Italian Maestrale-class frigate ITS Grecale, the Bulgarian frigate Smeli and the Romanian frigate Regina Maria.

The exercise will be carried out in three stages. The first phase of the exercise was the force assembly component. In the second level, under a particular scenario, sea training will be performed. Due to the Covid-19 limitations, evaluation meetings will be conducted via teleconference during the last part of the exercise.

Exercise Mavi Balina is a Turkish Naval Forces-led multinational anti submarine warfare exercise.

The Blue Whale is held on a biennial basis only as an invitation and is considered the Mediterranean 's largest anti-submarine warfare exercise.

The Turkish Naval Forces Fleet Command hosts and administers the Blue Whale. The main exercise headquarters are at Aksaz Naval Base.

The purpose of the exercise is to provide the units and personnel of the participating countries with realistic operational training in surface and submarine warfare, as well as to promote friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Maritime Business World