IONIAN SEA, Italy  - NATO’s Submarine Warfare Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 2018 (DYMA 18) began today off the Sicilian coast. Ships, submarines, aircraft and personnel from 10 Allied nations converging on the Central Mediterranean Sea for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) training.

Submarines from Canada, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United States, under the control of NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO), will join 9 surface ships from Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, UK, and USA. Host nation Italy is providing support from the Augusta Naval Base, Catania Harbour and the Sigonella Air Base in Catania.

Each surface ship will have the opportunity to conduct a variety of submarine warfare operations. The submarines will take turns hunting and being hunted, in coordination with the air and surface participants.

"Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA is a fantastic opportunity for the alliance to practice submarine tactics and improve anti-submarine warfare skills.  The long list of ships, submarines, and aircraft participating clearly shows NATO's commitment to maritime training.” said Rear Admiral Andrew Lennon, Commander Submarines NATO and Officer Conducting the Exercise OCE of Exercise DYAMIC MANTA 2018. "Our allied Sailors study and work hard to develop their undersea abilities.  DYNAMIC MANTA will give our airborne, surface, and submarine teams a valuable chance to test themselves during complex scenarios.  I'm very excited to be back in Sicily and so grateful to Italy for hosting us”, completed Rear Admiral Lennon.

DYNAMIC MANTA remains to be one of the most challenging exercises for NATO. It provides NATO nations’ with an excellent opportunity for their forces to practice together in a pure joint environment and simultaneously provides NATO the ability to evaluate and further develop Allied Anti-Submarine tactics.

"As Anti-Submarine-Warfare includes all three dimensions, special attention needs to be placed upon Anti-Submarine-Warfare from the air. Because of this, it is important for aircrews from various NATO nations’ to come and train together in this truly challenging environment” said Commodore Andreas Vettos (Hellenic Navy), Commander Maritime Air NATO. ”This year, NATO nations were able to send 10 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, 3 Anti-Submarine Helicopters, and 7 organic helicopters embarked on participating naval units. I am convinced, that the benefit for all participating nations will be immense and will assist in preparing our aircrews for future tasks and operations.” Concluded Commodore Andreas Vettos.

To support the simulated multi-threat environment, 10 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and 8 Helicopters from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States will operate from Sigonella Air Base under the control of personnel from NATO Maritime Air Command (MARAIRNATO).

Exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 18 will be supported by an In-Stride Debriefing Team (IDT) who will produce an analysis of the training from submitted highlights signals. The team will analyse anti-submarine warfare events real time and will provide debriefs to ships, submarines and aircrews. It allows crew to accelerate their process, make adjustments, improve the performance and boost the anti-submarine warfare readiness.  IDT team is composed of ASW experts and will perform its mission from Sigonella Air Base.