NATO naval forces exercise in Aegean Sea

NATO began the annual exercise NUSRET in the Aegean Sea on Monday to test combat readiness and strengthen cooperation, the security organization said.

The exercise will run until Dec. 4 and involves corvettes, patrol boats, mine hunters, fighter aircraft, and unmanned underwater vehicles, according to NATO's press release.

It is being organized by the Turkish navy and NATO has sent ships from Germany and Greece to participate in the exercise. Other NATO allies are participating on a bilateral basis.

Participants will test finding and neutralizing mines using divers and sonar as well as remotely operated vehicles.

"Turkey faces serious security challenges from many directions," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said, adding "NATO's participation in the NUSRET exercise demonstrates allies' strong commitment to Turkey's security, and contributes to increased stability in the region."

NATO hosted another exercise, MAVI BALINA, from Nov. 22 to 28 in the eastern Mediterranean to test international forces' anti-submarine warfare skills. Endit