NATO Practised Large-Scale Amphibious Assault to Liberate Territory on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank

The maritime phase of the STEADFAST DART 26 exercises took place in Germany, during which NATO’s rapid response forces (ARF) conducted a large-scale amphibious assault at the Putlos training area in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein.

This was reported by the NATO press service.

The STEADFAST DART 26 exercises are seen as a key element in testing the readiness of the newly formed NATO Rapid Response Force for possible crisis scenarios on the Alliance’s eastern flank.

During the maritime phase of the exercises, the military’s task was to liberate territory occupied by a simulated enemy on NATO’s eastern flank.

The ARF Maritime Component Command, consisting of 15 ships from six NATO countries, took part in the landing. The headquarters of the maritime component was deployed on board the Spanish universal landing ship ESPS Castilla.

The group also included a Turkish amphibious group aboard the UDK Anadolu, the Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1), the Spanish frigate Cristóbal Colón, the Turkish frigates Oruçreis and Istanbul, and the support ship Derya. A total of 15 ships with more than 2,600 military personnel took part in the landing.

The operation began with the launch of a Bayraktar TB-3 drone from the deck of the UDK Anadolu, which conducted reconnaissance of the landing area. The detected targets were hit by Eurofighter 2000 fighter jets of the German Air Force, demonstrating the integrated use of air and sea assets.

After that, divers from the Spanish Special Operations Forces reached the coast by submarine to clear it of a simulated minefield.

Turkish and Spanish special forces units were dropped from helicopters using the speed descent method, securing key positions, while Turkish attack helicopters provided direct air support.

The main landing force — Turkish marines — approached the coast in speedboats, after which ZAHA armored amphibious vehicles came ashore, providing mobility and fire support during the advance inland.

An additional landing was carried out using landing craft east of the main direction. The final stage was the evacuation of Spanish special operations forces.

Steadfast Dart 26 is NATO’s largest exercise this year, which will be held regularly and without the direct participation of the US armed forces. In total, about 10,000 soldiers, more than 20 aircraft, more than 1,500 tanks, self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and multiple launch rocket systems, as well as 17 ships from 13 countries are participating in the maneuvers. The largest contributions are being made by southern European countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, as well as Turkey.