NATO has officially launched Exercise Dynamic Mariner / Flotex 25, a large-scale maritime drill focused on boosting naval cooperation and operational readiness across the Alliance. The exercise, running from 24 March to 4 April 2025, is being conducted in the western Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, including Spanish territorial waters.
With 30 surface vessels, two submarines, air assets like Harriers, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters, along with 1,500 marines and personnel from six NATO nations, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye, this operation is one of the largest of its kind. The exercise is designed to simulate a crisis response scenario, allowing NATO forces to test their ability to conduct maritime operations and respond to evolving threats.
Led by the Spanish Navy, the event holds particular significance as it prepares Spain’s naval forces to take on the role of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force Maritime (ARF/M) in July 2025. The ARF, a newly established NATO concept, is set to enhance the Alliance’s ability to deploy forces more quickly in response to various threats, including conventional, hybrid, and cyber threats.
Additionally, for the first time, Türkiye’s Amphibious Task Force will assume leadership of the ARF Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Commander Landing Force (CLF) roles, marking a new chapter for the Alliance.
The exercise also includes NATO’s Standing Maritime Groups (SNMG2 and SNMCMG2), showcasing the integration of NATO’s standing naval forces with national fleets.
“This exercise strengthens our mine countermeasures operational capabilities, ensuring we remain ready to address any maritime security challenge,” said Turkish Navy Captain Kürsat Kurnaz.
Rear Admiral H. Ilker Avci of SNMG2 highlighted the strategic importance of the exercise, emphasizing NATO’s commitment to multi-domain operations and the need for enhanced interoperability among forces.
“Dynamic Mariner/Flotex 25 showcases NATO’s ability to create multi-domain effects above the sea, under the sea, on land, and in the air,” said Rear Admiral Avci. “This exercise pushes the operational cohesion of NATO forces to new levels.”
