The press activity program for the Blue Whale 2024 exercise has been completed.

The Blue Whale-24 Invitation Exercise, hosted by Turkey and organized every two years, will conclude tomorrow. This is the 9th time the exercise is being conducted by the Turkish Naval Forces Command, with the participation of NATO members and observers from 11 different countries. It has been noted that for the first time, the TCG Derya and TCG Anadolu ships performed fuel supply and frigate replenishments during this exercise.

The Blue Whale-24 Exercise, hosted by Turkey, includes elements from the Turkish Naval Forces Command, Air Forces Command, and Coast Guard Command, alongside units from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2), maritime patrol aircraft from the US and Pakistan navies, and observers from 11 different countries. The exercise is taking place from November 4 to 15 in the Eastern Mediterranean, focusing heavily on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training. A press activity program regarding the exercise was held at Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris, Muğla.

‘For the first time, TCG Anadolu and TCG Derya participated in the exercise’

Rear Admiral Timur Yılmaz, Commander of the Submarine Fleet, stated in his information speech that TCG Derya, TCG Anadolu, and the newly joined TCG Pirireis ship from the submarine fleet successfully performed fuel and frigate replenishment at sea as ships of three different classes for the first time. He mentioned, “The Blue Whale-2024 Exercise consists of five phases: the first two phases involve force assembly and pre-sailing briefing, the third and fourth phases consist of maritime training exercises, and the fifth phase includes the evaluation at the end of the exercise and distinguished observer day activities. Basic and advanced anti-submarine warfare training was conducted in the third and fourth phases of the exercise.” Timur Yılmaz added:

“This is an anti-submarine exercise hosted by Turkey. Our exercise activities in the Eastern Mediterranean from November 4 to 15, 2024, have been successfully carried out to date. The planned Blue Whale Exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Naval Command, executed by the Submarine Base Command, Naval and Air Command, and Southern Group Command. With the exercise, our combat support ship TCG Derya has participated in an exercise for the first time. It successfully performed fuel replenishment at sea with ships of three different classes. For the first time, fuel replenishment and frigate transfer at sea were successfully carried out between our two largest ships, TCG Derya and TCG Anadolu. Our underwater acoustics and shipbuilding experts, academicians, and engineers participated in dives with submarines. Thanks to the Blue Whale invitation exercise, our interoperability with friendly and allied naval forces has improved. In the fifth phase of the exercise, following the press briefing within the framework of distinguished observer activities, an academic panel themed on the impact of construction technologies on underwater warfare will be held with promotional activities by defense industry firms.”

Certificates of honorary submariner were presented to academics and engineers

The Commander of the Navy, Admiral Kadir Yıldız, stated, “Today we have completed the Blue Whale Exercise. I would like to express my satisfaction with the participation provided by friendly and allied country developers and elements. Our hope is that this collaboration will continue to grow. As the Naval Forces Command, we place great importance on working closely with our universities and defense industry firms in the modernization of our units and meeting our operational needs. In this context, I thank two academics and one engineer who participated in the submarines in our exercise. I believe that the experiences they have gained will be very beneficial for their studies and, of course, for our country. They are honorary submariners. Therefore, we will present them with honorary submariner certificates. I also thank all personnel, including other submarine commanders who participated in the exercise.”

After the speeches, honorary submariner certificates were presented to the participating academics and engineers. Admiral Kadir Yıldız and his accompanying officials visited the stands prepared by defense industry firms to gather information. The activity continued with an academic panel themed ‘The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Underwater Warfare,’ while the exercise will conclude tomorrow.

The program was attended by the Commander of the Navy Admiral Kadir Yıldız, Southern Sea Area Commander Vice Admiral Rafet Oktar, Naval Task Group Commander Rear Admiral Mehmet Baybars Küçükatay, Submarine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Timur Yılmaz, Aksaz Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Neslim Eski, submarine commanders, allied country force commanders, engineers from defense industry firms, and academics from the Defense Industry University.