Until 8 March, the training activity called Dynamic Manta will take place in the central Mediterranean area, which, since 2013, has been one of NATO’s most important and complex anti-submarine exercises.
Planned by the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and conducted off the east and south coasts of Sicily, DYMA is an advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise that aims to train and hone Allied capabilities to operate in an integrated manner in this form of warfare.
Seven submarines are employed in activity, belonging to the navies of Italy, France, Greece, Spain, the United States and Turkey; The boats will operate under the control of the NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO), training with surface units. Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPAs) from Canada, Germany, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey are also planned. All this is part of Operation Noble Shield, under the tactical control of Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) operating in the Mediterranean.
The Italian Navy takes part in the exercise with the anti-submarine frigate Carlo Margottini, the destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne, the Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Boat Francesco Morosini (flag ship of SNMG2), two submarines and two helicopters based at the Catania Helicopter Station. In addition, Italy, as the host nation, provides logistical support to the naval base of Augusta, the port of Catania and the air base of Sigonella.