Turkish frigate TCG Barbaros deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as the flagship to NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian patrols.
The 3-week deployment is the first of six OSG focused operations scheduled this year and will run until 12 February 2022.
“OSG is a collaborative, year-round maritime security operation designed to maintain maritime situational awareness (MSA), deter and counter-terrorism activity, and build capacity and interoperability among NATO Allies and partners. In addition to the daily MSA activities, OSG has been conducting focused patrols at specific areas of interest in the Mediterranean Sea.”
NATO also say on their website:
“This focused patrol incorporates maritime patrol aircraft from Greece, Poland, and Turkey in addition to submarines from Greece and Turkey in support of the flagship. Simultaneously Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 comprised of the flagship ITS Margottini, ESPS Blas de Lezo and TCG Goksu, will be deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, contributing NATO’s maritime situational awareness efforts.”
NATO launched OSG in 2016 to maintain an accurate picture of the maritime environment and contribute to the safety and security in the region.
Story via Public Affairs Office at MARCOM, read the original here.
Unfortunately, Turkish loyalty is in question these days, far too cosy with little Napoleon Putin…..
Hungary aswell.
Think they are playing each off against the other to increase their own importance and pressure others. Whatever their loyalty to NATO the last thing they would want is for Russias power to be enhanced as they are their direct threat but playing one off against the other is very handy for them.it is of course supplying armaments that have been a thorn in the side to Russia on various fronts and humiliating them in the Armenian crisis. So no chance of them becoming best mates though mutual interests might on occasion take place and that is certainly still a… Read more »
Even more worrying concerning Turkey, they sit in an absolutely strategic position, on NATO’s southern flank.
One of the four key NATO Geographic pillars, Great Britain West, Poland East, Norway North and Turkey South.
Suspect it’s more mutual respect after Turks shot down the strike bomber rather than being cosy with each other. Need to remember they only started to deal with each other when us declined aam sales to Turkey at which point they turned to S400. They are effectively ln cold war style conflict with each other in North Africa and Central Asia and Turkey is heavily supporting Ukraine.
Turkey is an increasing military power and wants to show a bit of independence. That doesn’t mean it’s going to work hand in glove with Putin. It already has a war and disputes to the south, a neighbour it hasn’t been speaking to in the east, and a traditional rival to the west. The last thing it wants is a war to the north as well.
Erdogan sold drones to the Ukraine last year, and him offering to mediate between Kiev and Moscow is a good thing, not selling out.
I wouldn’t trust them Jon, just another tin pot dictatorship, I wouldn’t trust them until they stop sending the tanks in to oppress their own people…
All good points Jon. I doubt the Turks ever forget that Russia still hungers for a warm water port or at least unimpeadable access to the Med’.
This shows many on here read tabloid nonsense and know little about geopolitics! The UK government would disagree with the Turkphobia due to its importance to NATO. It’s only the Turks that shot down a Russian bomber and lived to tell the tale. They confront Russia in Syria , Libya , Azerbaijan and supply Ukraine the most strategic weapon it has, Turkish drones and just signed a deal the drones to be manufactured in Ukraine while Germany offers helmets 🤔 Turkey is building 4 warships for Ukraine too to strengthen its navy and help with training. It will replace S400… Read more »
This doesn’t sound good, a floating version of Ajax? I hope not.
“Australia’s Minister of Defence, Department of Defence (DoD), and Chief of Navy have combined in rebutting a leaked naval engineering report that has assessed the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) nine future Hunter-class frigates as slower and heavier than planned and facing numerous design faults and problems with shipbuilder BAE Systems Maritime Australia.”
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval-weapons/latest/hunter-class-capabilities-defended-following-leaked-report
When you take an 8,000 tonne ASW design and turn it into a 10,000 tonne AEW/ASW class someone must have realised you would need higher power output ?
Quite possibly, but you see my point!
🙄 Kinda.
The most damaging thing is that the report was done by the own team that is developing the Hunter class.
The RuN flotilla from the Pacific Fleet should be in the Med by now, maybe Sea Guardian should be extended?