Turkey-led Mavi Balina 2020 multinational exercise to kick off on 30th October

Turkey-led Mavi Balina 2020 multinational Anti Submarine Warfare exercise will begin on 30th October in the East Mediterranean, Turkish Ministry of Defence announced. The exercise will last until 10th November.

Six countries including Pakistan, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain and the U.S. will participate in the exercise. In addition to the Turkish Naval assets, Spanish frigate Alvaro de Bazan and replenishment oiler Patino, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ross, River-class frigate PNS Zulfiqar of Pakistan, Maestrale-class frigate ITS Grecale from Italy, Bulgarian Frigate Smeli and Romanian frigate Regina Maria will take part in the exercise.

The exercise will be conducted in three phases. The first phase was the force assembly part of the exercise. On the second phase, sea training will be conducted under a certain scenario. In the last part of the exercise, evaluation meeting will be held via teleconference due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Exercise Mavi Balina (Exercise Blue Whale) is an international anti submarine warfare exercise led by Turkish Naval Forces.

Blue Whale is held biennially as invitation only basis and considered as the largest anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Mediterranean. It is hosted and administered by the Turkish Naval Forces Fleet Command. Exercise’s main headquarters is at Aksaz Naval Base.

The aim of the exercise is providing realistic operational training in surface and submarine warfare for units and staffs of participating countries, as well as promote friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

The post Turkey-led Mavi Balina 2020 multinational exercise to kick off on 30th October appeared first on Naval News.