NATO exercise involving 17 countries in Adriatic and Ionian Seas
A Super Cobra attack helicopter on the flight deck of the Turkish amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (L400). Photo: Ata Barış - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
CORFU. Naval and air forces from 17 allied countries are taking part in Neptune Strike 26-4. Greek vessels are also participating in the exercise.
The deployment of the Turkish amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu (L400), the frigate TCG Gaziantep and the submarine TCG Gür in the NATO activity “Neptune Strike 26-4” was announced by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence on 15 October. According to the announcement, the participation of the Turkish naval force was scheduled for 16–21 October, with activities in the North Sea, the Adriatic and the Ionian.
On 19 October, Allied Joint Force Command Naples announced the start of the final phase of Neptune Strike 2026, as part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities. These activities aim to coordinate allied naval and air forces and conduct complex military operations.
The naval activity coincides with preparations for the “Asopos-1” exploratory drilling operation in Block 2 of the north-western Ionian Sea.
Meanwhile, on 5 October, the defence ministers of Greece, Italy, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia adopted a joint declaration in Venice to strengthen defence cooperation in the Adriatic and Ionian.
According to a statement by the Greek Ministry of National Defence, the ADRION initiative aims to strengthen security, stability and operational cooperation in the region. The joint declaration specifically refers to addressing hybrid threats, cyberattacks and other forms of hostile interference.
The available NATO announcements do not identify hydrocarbon exploration in the north-western Ionian Sea as an objective of Neptune Strike 26-4.
Greece is also participating in Neptune Strike 26-4, according to the 18 October announcement by Allied Joint Force Command Naples, which lists Greece among the 17 participating allied countries.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
