Turkey and Greece are currently taking part in a NATO joint naval exercise amid ongoing war of words between the countries, NATO sources announced on Monday.
NATO’s Exercise called Dynamic Mariner-Mavi Balina 22 kicked off from Aksaz Naval Base on September 11. The exercise includes 50 surface units, 5 submarines, 5 air assets (including maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters), 1,500 marines, and personnel, from 12 NATO nations including Turkey and Greece.
“Dynamic Mariner is a crisis-response exercise, held in conjunction with the Turkish Navy’s Exercise Mavi Balina, which brings together 12 Allied nations off the coast of Turkey,” NATO said.
“Led by NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the Dynamic Mariner aims to test and demonstrate NATO’s Response Force Maritime Component (NRF/M) and interoperability between NATO forces, enhancing flexibility and improving the ability to work together among Allied nations. It runs from Sept.11-22,” NATO added.
“This year’s event includes more assets than ever before, facilitating increased interoperability between our nations and enhancing operational readiness. We continue to work closely with Turkey and other Allies and Partners to deter aggression and defend the Alliance,” MARCOM Deputy Commander French Navy Vice Admiral Didier Piaton said.
Relations between Turkey and Greece have recently deteriorated. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came up with an invasion threat a week ago saying that Turkey could storm unexpectedly one night in retaliation to a perceived Greek threat. His Greek counterpart replied that Greece was ready to strike back.
Ahval