Exercise Dynamic Manta prepares NATO submarine crews to respond and adapt to any type of threat below the surface. It is the largest and most complex submarine exercise in the Mediterranean, which trains, demonstrates and refines Allied capabilities in this particular type of warfare.
As NATO’s most advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Dynamic Manta 24 will journey to the heart of naval operations, where state-of-the-art submarines and cutting-edge technologies converge. This demanding exercise takes place concurrently with NATO’s largest exercise, Steadfast Defender, demonstrating the Alliance’s ability to carry on simultaneous exercises and missions across the Euro-Atlantic area.
The aim of Dynamic Manta is to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills. Each participating unit 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.
For only the second time since the exercise began in 2013, submarine assets will also work with Allied maritime Special Operations Forces (SOF), consolidating interoperability. The capability of Allied SOF teams to cooperate with Allied submarines from different nations represents a force multiplier for NATO. For this iteration of DYMA, a Greek SOF team will make a landing from an Italian submarine to conduct its mission.
“Anti-Submarine Warfare is a team sport, with each platform bringing its unique capability and valuable contribution, and these exercises enable our Allies and teams to sharpen their skills as well as work on new tactics while enhancing interoperability and teamwork,” said Commander, Submarines NATO U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Wall. “Developing our collective skills in anti-surface warfare contributes directly to the NATO Deter and Defense concept by improving our ability to ensure a comprehensive maritime situation awareness from sea-bed to space.”
Planned by NATO’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the exercise will take place off the eastern and southern coasts of Sicily. Six submarines will in turn hunt and be hunted, in close coordination with air and surface assets. The submarines belong to the navies of Greece, France, Italy, Spain and Türkiye, with the NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO) exercising operational control on several, as required by the exercise scenario.
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Canada, Germany, Greece, Türkiye, the United Kingdom the United States, and Maritime Patrol Helicopters (MPH) from Italy will also take part, supported by the surface ships of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), commanded by Italian Navy Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito.
As the host nation, Italy is providing support in Catania and Augusta Harbors, the naval helicopter base in Catania, Naval Air Station Sigonella, as well as support from Augusta Naval Base.
Between 26 Feb and 8 March, Allied Navy units from nine nations begin the challenging training with the opportunity to improve their skills in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Dynamic Manta is one of nearly a dozen MARCOM-led maritime exercises held each year in addition to numerous national exercises, which increase readiness in defence of the Alliance.
Its sister exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, takes place in the cold waters of the North Atlantic, as part of the continuous submarine warfare training and cooperation comprising the hi-end submarines of Allies and Sweden.
