Dynamic Manta 2017, NATO’s annual anti-submarine warfare exercise, is set to start on Monday next week, off the coast of Sicily, Italy.

The two-week drill will gather ships and sailors from ten allied countries for ASW training in the central Mediterranean.

Submarines from France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States, under the control of NATO Submarine Command (COMSUBNATO), will work with warships of France, Greece, England, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United States.

Participating warships will be supported by 14 maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters from Canada, France, Germany, England, Italy, Norway, Spain, Turkey and the United States that will operate from Sigonella base and aboard ships.

In addition to deploying guided missile destroyer Luigi Durand De La Penne, AIP submarine Pietro Venuti and a NH90 frigate helicopter, Italy will provide logistical support through the Sicilian Maritime Command, the Augusta Naval Base and Sigonella Air Base.

Dynamic Manta aims to provide all participants with complex and challenging warfare training to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills, with due regard to safety. During the exercise, an analysis team of ASW experts usually analyses anti-submarine warfare events real time and provides debriefs to ships, submarines and aircrews.