NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) has commenced extensive mine countermeasure operations in the Mediterranean in preparation for the NATO-led exercise NEPTUNE STRIKE, a large-scale maritime maneuver designed to bolster the alliance’s amphibious assault capabilities. This year’s NEPTUNE STRIKE brings together an array of NATO naval assets with the Turkish landing helicopter dock (LHD) TCG Anadolu as a central figure. Mine countermeasure (MCM) operations, led by NATO’s SNMCMG2 task force, aim to clear potential underwater threats, providing the critical assurance of safe passage for larger vessels, including the TCG Anadolu.
The SNMCMG2 task force is composed of vessels specifically outfitted for mine detection and neutralization. The task force includes Turkey’s TCG Akcakoca, Romania’s ROS Vice Admiral Constantin Balescu, Italy’s ITS Alghero, and Spain’s ESPS Tajo. Each ship is equipped with specialized sonar, mine-detection, and disposal equipment to ensure operational readiness in contested waters. Clearing these zones will be essential for enabling the TCG Anadolu to lead amphibious maneuvers in the exercise unimpeded by underwater explosives, ensuring that NATO’s amphibious forces can operate effectively and safely in the region.
MCM operations are not new to SNMCMG2, which is a rotating NATO force tasked with mine countermeasure (MCM) responsibilities in the Mediterranean. The group’s work is central to NATO’s maritime security framework, particularly in regions with high potential for underwater mines. Mines present a significant risk to naval operations, and SNMCMG2’s presence provides a layered defense, offering critical strategic depth and operational flexibility for NATO vessels.
The four vessels deployed by SNMCMG2 for the NEPTUNE STRIKE exercise each bring unique capabilities to the mission, underscoring NATO’s commitment to an interoperable, ready maritime force:
- TCG Akcakoca (Turkey): This Turkish minehunter employs advanced sonar and mine disposal equipment to identify and neutralize underwater mines. Turkey’s longstanding expertise in mine warfare ensures that TCG Akcakoca contributes a highly capable presence to the task force, bringing both equipment and operational know-how.
- ROS Vice Admiral Constantin Balescu (Romania): Equipped with powerful sonar and dive support capabilities, Romania’s ROS Vice Admiral Constantin Balescu enhances the group’s ability to locate, classify, and neutralize mines. As an experienced platform in MCM, the vessel plays a key role in supporting NATO’s MCM efforts in the region.
- ITS Alghero (Italy): Italy’s ITS Alghero is a mine warfare specialist vessel that leverages extensive experience from the Mediterranean. The Italian Navy brings in-depth knowledge of regional maritime conditions, making the ITS Alghero an invaluable asset for ensuring accurate and efficient mine countermeasures.
- ESPS Tajo (Spain): Spain’s ESPS Tajo is equipped with cutting-edge unmanned mine countermeasure systems, adding an advanced technological layer to the task force. Utilizing remotely operated underwater vehicles, ESPS Tajo can cover wide areas efficiently, minimizing risk to crew and other assets.
Together, these vessels enable NATO to apply a multi-layered approach to maritime security, blending traditional minehunting methods with modern, unmanned technologies to maximize the effectiveness of mine countermeasures.
At the heart of this year’s NEPTUNE STRIKE exercise is the Turkish landing helicopter dock TCG Anadolu. Commissioned in April 2023, this 231-meter-long ship, with a displacement of 27,436 tons, represents a significant advancement in Turkey’s naval capabilities. Built by Turkey’s Sedef Shipyard in collaboration with Spain’s Navantia, the TCG Anadolu is based on the Spanish Juan Carlos I design but tailored specifically for Turkey’s operational requirements. This multipurpose amphibious assault ship is capable of deploying a broad range of assets—including helicopters, amphibious vehicles, and ground troops—to conduct force projection on hostile or contested shores.
The TCG Anadolu boasts a flight deck with six landing spots and a ski-jump ramp, enabling it to launch various types of aircraft. Though Turkey pivoted away from acquiring F-35 aircraft, it has shifted toward utilizing unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), effectively transforming the TCG Anadolu into a pioneering “drone carrier.” The vessel’s design can accommodate Bayraktar TB3s and the larger, more advanced Kızılelma UCAVs, marking it as the first naval vessel in the world to prioritize drone deployment.
NEPTUNE STRIKE is a NATO-led series of exercises that test the alliance’s amphibious and littoral capabilities. The exercise scenarios simulate amphibious assaults, with forces deployed from sea to shore in realistic battle conditions. For NATO, maintaining proficiency in amphibious operations is critical to ensuring force readiness, particularly in areas where traditional ground access is limited.
As part of the exercise, TCG Anadolu will spearhead simulated amphibious landings. The amphibious capabilities of TCG Anadolu are substantial; it can carry up to 12 helicopters and transport up to 94 military vehicles, including tanks and amphibious assault vehicles. This complements NATO’s larger goal of simulating comprehensive land, sea, and air operations in hostile environments. The MCM work by SNMCMG2 ensures that the amphibious operations, particularly those involving larger, slower-moving vessels such as TCG Anadolu, proceed without disruption from underwater explosives or other maritime threats.
The TCG Anadolu is equipped to act as a command and control hub for such complex operations. During NEPTUNE STRIKE, it will likely serve as both an amphibious asset and a communications platform, coordinating forces and relaying crucial information to other NATO units involved in the exercise.
Mine countermeasures play a critical role in modern naval warfare. Mines are a cost-effective yet deadly obstacle that can block or slow the progress of military vessels. They are typically deployed to choke points or contested zones, adding complexity to strategic maritime operations. Given the strategic positioning of regions like the Mediterranean, NATO’s focus on MCM operations is vital. A well-executed mine countermeasure operation can open safe lanes for naval units, creating operational “green zones” free from underwater threats.
For NATO, investing in MCM technology and training serves multiple purposes. First, it reinforces NATO’s ability to protect its vessels and sustain uninterrupted maritime operations. Second, MCM operations serve as a strategic deterrent, demonstrating NATO’s capability to neutralize underwater threats effectively. Lastly, these operations deepen interoperability among NATO forces, as MCM requires close coordination among varied assets from different member countries.
The SNMCMG2 operations ahead of NEPTUNE STRIKE serve as a testament to NATO’s emphasis on interoperability. MCM operations require precise coordination, shared intelligence, and real-time communication among the task force vessels. Each vessel in SNMCMG2’s task force contributes its unique technologies and experience, from Turkey’s state-of-the-art minehunter TCG Akcakoca to Spain’s unmanned systems on ESPS Tajo. This diversity of assets and approaches within SNMCMG2 enables NATO to test, validate, and enhance its layered MCM defense strategy.
The exercise also reflects NATO’s commitment to technological advancement. Unmanned systems and remote-controlled underwater vehicles allow NATO forces to conduct MCM operations in high-risk zones with reduced risk to personnel. As these technologies evolve, NATO is increasingly integrating them into its operational frameworks, ensuring that the alliance’s forces remain at the forefront of maritime security innovations.
The Mediterranean has long been a focal point for NATO, representing both an essential trade route and a critical line of defense for Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. With global tensions rising and increased military activities in the region, NATO’s ability to ensure secure maritime passage is of strategic importance. Exercises like NEPTUNE STRIKE, underpinned by robust MCM operations, affirm NATO’s commitment to maintaining security in this key area. Moreover, Turkey’s central role in this year’s NEPTUNE STRIKE reinforces its position as a critical player within the alliance.
Turkey’s investment in naval capabilities, highlighted by the addition of TCG Anadolu, showcases its dedication to the alliance and its readiness to support collective defense initiatives. The presence of TCG Anadolu also symbolizes Turkey’s growing self-sufficiency in defense production, positioning it as a pivotal actor in regional security dynamics.
