Show of strength in the Eastern Mediterranean!

Turkish naval forces showed off their strength with submarine threat detection and defensive warfare elements within the scope of the exercise. The wide range and success of submarine systems, especially their sonar capabilities, also created concern in Israel, which closely follows Turkey's capabilities to change the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Blue Whale Exercise is held between 9-20 November with the participation of more than 4,500 personnel from 12 countries. The exercise, which started under the coordination of Aksaz Naval Base Command, included the actual participation of the Naval Forces Command and Coast Guard Command, NATO Standing Maritime Task Group-2 (SNMG-2) consisting of Turkey, Spain and Greece, the USA and Pakistan, as well as the participation of Indonesia, Morocco, Iraq, Mozambique, Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Oman as observers. Turkey's national technologies attracted great attention in the exercise, where all skills for submarine and anti-submarine warfare were exhibited and the Underwater Operations Command, established last year, took an active role.

'We have 14 submarine ships'

Speaking at the press and distinguished observer day, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu stated the following regarding Turkey's naval power:

■The construction of ATILAY, which will be the first of 6 submarines within the scope of the national submarine project MİLDEN, continues at Gölcük Shipyard.

■ There are 14 submarines in the inventory, two of which are training submarines.

■ MURATREİS will be put into service this month. The construction of the other 3 Reis-class submarines will also continue.

■ Studies are continuing to include the national heavy torpedo AKYA, the national submarine-launched ATMACA guided missiles and the national mine MALAMAN into the inventory.