BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – The NATO anti-submarine training drills, code-named Dynamic Manta, will test the participants' anti-submarine warfare capabilities (ASW) to conduct sea control and sea denial related naval tasks.
The operational air, surface and subsurface ASW training will be held from September 12 to September 22 in Italy, presumably in the Ionian Sea.
Previous NATO ASW drills included 12 warships, four submarines and air assets from 10 NATO member states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.
In 2014, NATO began strengthening its military presence in the Eastern European countries bordering Russia, citing Moscow’s alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.
Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations and has expressed concern over the NATO reinforcement along the country's western border, saying the move could lead to destabilization in both the region and the world.
