Blue Whale 2026 naval drill begins in eastern Mediterranean with 11 warships and 8 submarines
Turkey hosts the biennial invitation exercise with 4,500 personnel and assets from 12 countries.
KEY POINTS
- Blue Whale 2026 runs from November 9 to 20 in the eastern Mediterranean
- The exercise involves 11 warships, eight Turkish submarines, 10 aircraft and 4,500 personnel
- Twelve countries contribute military units and observers
- NATO SNMG-2, the USS Berkeley and a Pakistani maritime patrol aircraft are taking part
- Turkey operates 13 active submarines, according to the Submarine Fleet commander
Turkey has launched the Blue Whale 2026 invitation exercise in the eastern Mediterranean, running from November 9 to 20. The biennial international anti-submarine warfare drill is hosted by Turkey and involves military units and observers from 12 countries.
A total of 4,500 personnel are taking part, along with 11 warships and eight Turkish submarines. Sixteen of the surface warships belong to the Turkish Navy, while the remaining vessels come from allied forces.
“Today, as representatives of this deep-rooted heritage, we are happy to host the 10th Blue Whale Invitation Exercise. The Turkish Submarine Fleet is among NATO’s leading submarine forces with its 13 active submarines.”
NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group-2, comprising ships from Turkey, Spain and Greece, is also participating. The United States is represented by the USS Berkeley destroyer, and Pakistan has sent a maritime patrol aircraft.
The elite observer day began at Aksaz Naval Base Command in Marmaris. A press briefing was held aboard TCG Salihreis, attended by Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu, Rear Admiral Mustafa Kaya and Vice Admiral Kenan Kaan Turkkan.
Rear Admiral Ahmet Isci, commander of the Submarine Fleet, said the Turkish submarine fleet has been a core element of naval deterrence for 140 years. He added that Turkey currently operates 13 active submarines and is among NATO’s leading submarine forces.
Isci stated that training will be conducted under real combat conditions. The drill aims to improve participating units’ knowledge, skills and combat readiness for anti-submarine warfare.
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