The Turkish Navy is gearing up for its flagship exercise, Mavi Vatan-2025, an ambitious training operation designed to test its capabilities in challenging scenarios and foster interoperability across military branches. Rear Admiral Kenan Kaan Türkkan, Chief of Naval Operations Staff, outlined the scope and objectives of the exercise during a press briefing.
Scheduled to take place in January, Mavi Vatan-2025 is part of the Turkish Armed Forces’ annual exercise program. This large-scale event aims to evaluate the Navy’s command and control capabilities, enhance operational readiness, and sharpen decision-making skills in complex, multi-threat environments. The exercise will also test how seamlessly naval units can work alongside other branches of Türkiye’s military.
The exercise involves a robust lineup of assets, including 7 submarines, 8 frigates, 4 corvettes, 13 fast attack craft, 7 mine countermeasures vessels, 20 landing ships and craft, 13 patrol boats and 22 auxiliaries, 31 aircraft, 17 helicopters, 28 unmanned aerial vehicles, and 7 unmanned surface vehicles.
Additionally, specialized teams such as two SAT (Underwater Assault) teams with 8 personnel each and three SAS (Underwater Defense) teams with 5 personnel each will be participating. In total, approximately 20,000 personnel will take part in the exercise.
Support from the other branches of the armed forces adds another layer of complexity. The Army will contribute general-purpose and CH-47 helicopters, while the Air Force will provide attack aircraft, early warning planes, and target-towing aircraft. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard will deploy six patrol vessels.
The exercise will unfold in several phases. It kicks off on January 6, with ships departing their bases. Preparations for operations will take place over the next two days, followed by a Distinguished Observer Day at Aksaz/Marmaris on January 9. After port visits and logistical integration on January 10–11, live-fire training and operational exercises will dominate the schedule from January 12–16. These final days will focus on conducting operations in simulated high-threat scenarios.
At the heart of the exercise is the Exercise Control Center, which is operating out of the Naval Warfare Center Command. Staffed by 115 personnel, the center will oversee and guide the exercise, ensuring it meets its objectives through tailored scenarios and simulations.
Mavi Vatan-2025 will also incorporate a comprehensive media strategy. The Naval Forces General Secretariat will manage real press activities, while the Exercise Control Center will simulate media coverage, including television and social media, through the military’s secure network.
Specialized training and firing activities will add depth to the exercise. These include surface target firing using radar-acoustic targets, air defense firing with targets towed by drones, and shore bombardment. Naval aviation assets will execute precision weapon launches, including MAM-C guided munitions and rockets. Patrol craft will conduct depth charge and anti-submarine rocket firing. In the Finike region, electronic warfare training and chaff firing will be carried out using the Pelikan EW simulator.
The Turkish Navy, with its modernized fleet and skilled personnel, continues to position itself as a formidable force in the region. Rear Admiral Türkkan emphasized the Navy’s unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s maritime interests, both at home and abroad.
“As always, we draw strength from the Turkish people and our nation’s flag,” he said. “We stand ready to serve wherever we are needed, with determination, discipline, and pride
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