NATO Maritime Component Command Leaves Rota as Exercise Steadfast Dart 26 Gets Underway

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NATO Maritime Component Command Departs Rota for Exercise Steadfast Dart 26

NATO’s Maritime Component Command has left Naval Station Rota, Spain to take part in Exercise Steadfast Dart 26, the alliance’s large 2026 joint deployment exercise focused on rapid reaction and multi-domain integration. The deployment marks a key maritime phase of the exercise under the operational control of Joint Force Command Brunssum.

Maritime Forces Begin Movement

The departure from Rota is part of the naval contribution to Steadfast Dart 26, moving maritime forces toward training areas and staging points in support of the broader exercise. NATO leadership said the movement aims to test the Allied Reaction Force’s rapid deployment and its cohesion across land, air, sea, cyber and space domains.

German General Ingo Gerhartz, commander of Joint Force Command Brunssum, and Spanish Rear Admiral Juan Bautista Perez Puig led a press event in Rota highlighting the start of the maritime portion. The exercise brings together units from multiple allied nations as part of the largest NATO movement exercise of the year.

Steadfast Dart 26 Overview

Steadfast Dart 26 was launched in mid-January and is designed to validate rapid coordinated deployment of NATO forces throughout Europe. About 10,000 personnel from 11 NATO countries are participating, along with more than 1,500 vehicles, 20 aircraft and numerous naval vessels. The exercise concentrates on the ability of the Allied Reaction Force to mobilize quickly in response to emerging crises.

This year’s iteration places Germany at the center of logistic and training efforts, with key phases scheduled across Central and Northern Europe, including live-field training in February. The maritime movement from Rota feeds into this broader sequence of activities.

Allied Reaction Force Focus

Steadfast Dart 26 represents one of NATO’s principal readiness drills of the year. It tests command and control, multinational logistics, joint force interoperability and sustainment of forces away from home bases. The Allied Reaction Force was set up to respond rapidly to crises and reinforce NATO defenses across the alliance.

For the maritime component specifically, the movement from Rota underscores the integration of sea power in NATO’s response architecture. Ships and crews will operate with ground, air and cyber elements as part of coordinated training and evaluation.

Next Phases

After departures from Rota, participating naval units are expected to link with other elements of the exercise in designated operational zones. Follow-on training will examine joint logistics, littoral operations, and interoperability with land and air forces.