The ships of both Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) played a significant role in this large-scale multinational exercise, designed to boost working relationships between NATO Allies and Partners.
This was also the first time NATO’s Allied Response Force Doctrine was used in an exercise scenario. Exercise Steadfast Dart 2025 was designed to test and train the operational deployment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) to NATO Vigilance Area South-East. The doctrine encompasses maritime, air and land activity, aiming to strengthen the Alliance's collective defence capabilities while demonstrating unity and resolve.
SNMG2 naval units from France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Türkiye, along with staff from Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, demonstrated their professionalism and expertise throughout the exercise. The ships taking part were flagship TCG Kemalreis, FS Commandant Birot,
HS Kountouriotis, ITS Thaon di Revel, ESPS Álvaro de Bazán and ESPS Patino, reinforced by HS Limnos and other ARF Units. More than 1,000 crew members from across NATO nations were on board, working tirelessly to ensure that the exercise aims and objectives were met.
SNMG2 accomplished its mission in the first ever ARF exercise and enhanced vigilance activity through Exercise Steadfast Dart 25, demonstrating once again the leverage of having a standing naval force at sea at all times
Ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 operating in the Aegean Sea during their participation in Exercise Steadfast Dart with NATO's Allied Reaction Force (ARF)
The task group practised a wide range of activities, including escort operations for deployed units such as Aircraft Carriers and Amphibious Ships, anti-submarine warfare, Naval Gunfire Support (NGS), air defence, anti-surface firings and operations and Maritime Interdiction Operations. Additionally, SNMG2 units carried out many replenishments-at-sea, where they tested both ship-handling skills and the logistical capabilities of NATO’s maritime forces under challenging conditions.
The crew’s dedication was particularly evident as they endured harsh weather and rough seas, making the execution of these complex operations even more challenging.
“SNMG2 accomplished its mission in the first ever ARF exercise and enhanced vigilance activity through Exercise Steadfast Dart 25, demonstrating once again the leverage of having a standing naval force at sea at all times”, said the Commander of SNMG2, Turkish Navy Rear Admiral H. Ilker Avci. “The exercise has also been very beneficial for enhancing interoperability and testing the newly formed command and control structures of the Alliance.”