NATO establishes secret task force, reaffirming alliance strength

NATO's third NEST 2025 exercise, held near Brindisi in southern Italy, revealed Turkey's Anadolu Battle Group as Rear Admiral Mevlüd Savaş Bilican highlighted NATO's resilience.

NATO launched its third large-scale exercise, Neptune Strike 2025, NEPTUNE STRIKE 25-3 (NEST 25-3), which took place in late September in the central Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Brindisi, Italy.

The press conference was held on board the flagship TCG Anadolu.

This Enhanced Vigilance operation aims to demonstrate NATO's ability to integrate advanced maritime strike capabilities, enhance deterrence and maintain readiness across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains.

At a press conference held on board the flagship TCG Anadolu, the Commander of the Amphibious Task Force, Rear Admiral Mevlüd Savaş Bilican, gave a detailed press conference.

After the press conference, Mr. Bilican also told TurDef: “The importance of this exercise is to demonstrate the resilience of NATO units and our steadfast stance. It is very important for us to work with our allies to improve interoperability and also to demonstrate our capabilities and capabilities.”

Anadolu forces conduct landing drills during the NEST 25-3 NATO exercise.

Discussing the ship’s role, he added: “We are conducting exercises, including amphibious landing exercises with the Italian Navy. This is basically a support activity for the amphibious operations that we are conducting in this area with our Italian partners.”

Türkiye's Anadolu Task Force—comprising TCG Anadolu, frigate TCG Gökova, corvette TCG Gökçeada, submarine TCG I. İnönü, helicopters, ZAHA amphibious armored vehicles (MAVs), landing craft, a marine battalion, and special operations teams—joined forces from NATO and allied nations.

NATO's Standing Naval Group 2 contributed two frigates (the Turkish frigate Barbaros and the Italian frigate Carlo Bergamini). Italy also added the amphibious assault ship ITS San Giorgio, helicopters, a company of marines, landing craft, assault boats and a first-class diving team.

Anadolu special forces commanding officers appear at the press conference.

The exercise will include light gunnery operations, maritime surveillance, amphibious assault and landing exercises, anti-submarine warfare and mass casualty exercises (MASCAL).

This event provides Türkiye with an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Anadolu Task Group to its NATO partners in a prominent manner. This will improve interoperability between the two groups and demonstrate the Turkish Navy's strength in the field.