Second 2024 report on the naval situation in the Mediterranean Sea

Warning. This post shows the positions of the main naval groups or other individual units deemed relevant. This post is not exhaustive of all units present at sea at this time.

The most significant naval activity these days is taking place in the Ionian Sea during the Dynamic Manta 24 exercise, while international attention has been focused on the Red Sea where numerous units, not only from the United States but also from the European Union (as part of the Aspides mission), are operating.

NATO

In these days he NATO’s annual training activity named ‘Dynamic Manta’ is set to take place in the central Mediterranean area between February 26 and March 8. Organized by the NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and conducted off the eastern and southern coasts of Sicily, Dynamic Manta is an advanced antisubmarine warfare exercise aimed at improving allied capabilities to operate integratively against this threat.

This year, seven submarines from the navies of Italy, France, Greece, Spain, the United States, and Turkey (TCG Anafartalar, S-356)will be involved, operating in coordination with the NATO Submarine Command and surface units. Additionally, maritime patrol aircraft from Canada, Germany, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Turkey are expected to participate. These activities will be carried out as part of Operation Noble Shield, under the tactical guidance of Rear Admiral Pasquale Esposito, Commander of the Second Permanent Naval Group of NATO in the Mediterranean.

The Italian Navy will participate in the exercise with the anti-submarine frigate Carlo Margottini (F 592), the destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne (D 560), the Offshore Multipurpose Patrol Ship Francesco Morosini (P 431), two submarines (among which Todaro, S526)and two helicopters based at the Catania Helicopter Base.

The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 is also participating in the exercise, while the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The presence of the United States Navy in the Mediterranean continues with the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and its support group (including the USS Mesa Verde, LPD-19), which has been operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, engaged in exercises with Turkish and British naval units.

Still in the Eastern Mediterranean, the frigate ITS Carlo Bergamini (F 590) is currently anchored in Limassol.

Meanwhile the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond (D34) is in Gibraltar, where it has reloaded its missile launchers, ready to return to the Red Sea.

It’s worth noting that the two NATO aircraft carriers currently available in the Mediterranean are in their respective home ports: the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) is in Toulon and its return to service, after a long period of maintenance, is imminent. The Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (C550) is instead anchored in Taranto.

RUSSIA

The situation of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean, now reduced to very few units, is instead calm. Only two units are not reported to be present in the Syrian port of Tartus, the spy ship Kildin and the corvette Merkury, highlighting once again how the Russian “threat” in the Mediterranean is almost negligible.