NATO, Japan conduct joint naval drills in Mediterranean

Turkish, Italian vessels exercise together with Japanese ships on June 6, NATO statement says

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - Japan’s navy ships exercised together with NATO in the Mediterranean Sea, the military alliance announced on Thursday.

Türkiye’s Salihreis and Italy’s Margottini vessels from NATO’s Maritime Group Two conducted joint training exercise with two Japanese ships on June 6, a NATO statement said.

Japan’s Kashima and Shimakaze ships are on their worldwide cruise as part of an overseas training course for newly commissioned officers.

“The exchanges gave all participants insight into the way NATO and Japan operate at sea and fostered understanding and interoperability between the units,” the statement said.

Italian Navy Rear Admiral Mauro Panebianco called the exercise a “great opportunity to strengthen our cooperation and partnership,” stressing that the NATO and Japanese navy “share many core values.”

Salihreis and Margottini serve in the Mediterranean Sea to ensure NATO’S high level of readiness and to preserve peace and security on the high seas.

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