NATO launches major maritime exercise in Mediterranean Sea to showcase allied power

NATO has officially launched Exercise Dynamic Mariner / Flotex 25, a key multinational maritime exercise aimed at enhancing Allied naval cooperation and operational readiness.

Taking place from March 24 to April 4, 2025, in the western Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, including Spanish territorial waters, the exercise brings together NATO warships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter jets, and over 1,500 marines and sailors from six Allied nations, Caliber.Az reports per the Alliance.

Led by the Spanish Navy, the exercise is designed to strengthen NATO's ability to secure vital sea lanes and respond to emerging maritime threats. With a fictitious scenario focused on maritime expeditionary operations, the exercise tests NATO’s interoperability and rapid response capabilities, ensuring the Alliance remains prepared for any potential conflict at sea.

The exercise will be pivotal for Spain as it prepares to take over the NATO Allied Reaction Force Maritime (ARF/M) element in July 2025. The ARF, a new multi-domain concept, is designed to enhance NATO's flexibility and readiness, enabling faster responses to security challenges, including conventional, hybrid, and cyber threats. For the first time, Türkiye's Amphibious Task Force will assume the role of ARF Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Commander Landing Force (CLF) in July 2025.

Participating forces will work together to enhance warfighting skills and coordination, reinforcing NATO's commitment to the security of Allied waters. Turkish Navy Captain Kürsat Kurnaz emphasized that the exercise would strengthen the mine countermeasures operational capabilities of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2), while Rear Admiral H. Ilker Avci of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) highlighted the importance of improving interoperability and cohesion among Allied forces.

With 30 surface units, 2 submarines, and multiple air assets, the exercise underscores NATO's ability to conduct joint operations in complex, multi-domain environments, enhancing its overall deterrence and defence posture.

By Vafa Guliyeva