Turkish Submarine TCG 1. İnönü Joins NATO Dynamic Manta 2026 Off Italy

TCG 1. İnönü Submarine Heads To NATO Dynamic Manta 2026

The TCG 1. İnönü submarine is set to take part in NATO Dynamic Manta 2026, one of the alliance’s premier anti-submarine warfare drills in the Mediterranean. The exercise, organized by NATO Allied Maritime Command, runs from February 23 through March 6 off the coast of Sicily, Italy.

Dynamic Manta is hosted annually by Italy and is widely regarded as NATO’s largest dedicated anti-submarine warfare exercise. It brings together submarines, surface combatants, maritime patrol aircraft, and support units from allied nations to test coordinated undersea warfare tactics.

A Core Asset Of The Turkish Navy

The TCG 1. İnönü is part of Turkey’s Gür-class submarines, based on the German Type 209 design. Commissioned in 2007, the submarine carries the hull number S360 and operates with a crew of approximately 45 personnel.

Named after the First Battle of İnönü during the Turkish War of Independence, the vessel represents both historical legacy and modern capability within the Turkish Naval Forces.

Ahead of deployment, Commander Naval Colonel İsmail Koç and Executive Officer Major Orkun Turan briefed journalists onboard the submarine. According to the crew, the platform has conducted numerous national and international missions since entering service.

Focus On Anti-Submarine Warfare

Colonel Koç described Dynamic Manta as NATO’s largest submarine defense exercise, emphasizing its operational phase between late February and early March.

The stated objective is to enhance submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities across allied fleets. Training scenarios include maritime access control, sea denial operations, and crisis response coordination.

For NATO, such drills remain central to maintaining credible deterrence. Submarines continue to play a decisive role in intelligence gathering, sea control, and strategic strike missions. As undersea competition intensifies globally, alliance interoperability has become a priority.

Turkish Contribution To NATO Operations

Turkey’s participation in Dynamic Manta 2026 includes not only the TCG 1. İnönü submarine but also a P-72 maritime patrol aircraft. The aircraft strengthens airborne anti-submarine surveillance and tracking capabilities during the exercise.

Turkey has consistently maintained an active presence in NATO maritime drills. Its geographic position, straddling the Black Sea and Mediterranean, makes it a critical contributor to alliance naval operations.

From a strategic standpoint, the involvement of the TCG 1. İnönü submarine underscores Ankara’s continued investment in conventional submarine capabilities even as it advances newer programs such as the Reis-class submarines.

Broader Mediterranean Security Context

The Mediterranean remains a key operational theater for NATO. Increased submarine activity, evolving maritime threats, and contested sea lanes have pushed anti-submarine warfare back to the forefront of alliance planning.

Exercises like Dynamic Manta allow participating navies to test sonar performance, coordinated tracking, and live tactical decision-making in complex underwater environments. They also help refine command and control frameworks under NATO structures.

For Turkey, deploying the TCG 1. İnönü submarine signals operational readiness and reinforces its role within NATO’s southern maritime flank.

As Dynamic Manta 2026 unfolds off Sicily, allied forces will focus on sharpening their undersea warfare edge, ensuring preparedness for both conventional conflict and emerging maritime security challenges.