Morocco Joins NATO Countries in Turkiye’s ‘Nusret 2025’ Naval Exercises

Marrakech – Morocco is participating alongside several countries in the “Nusret 2025” military exercises organized by Turkiye from October 24 to 31. The naval and air forces from multiple NATO member countries are taking part in these maneuvers, according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Defense.

The exercises, conducted in the Çanakkale region and the Gulf of Saros in the Aegean Sea, aim to strengthen the operational capabilities of participating units in planning, executing, and evaluating naval warfare operations. They also focus on enhancing cooperation and interoperability between Turkish naval forces and those of partner countries.

Participating in these exercises are Turkish naval, air, and coast guard forces, along with elements from NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2, and representatives from approximately 24 countries.

Of these nations, 5 countries are actively participating, while 19 have observer status. Besides Morocco, other participants include Bahrain,the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and many others.

Military experts consider Morocco’s presence in these multinational military exercises a strategic step to enhance its naval and air capabilities. It also deepens cooperation with regional and international partners amid growing security challenges in the Mediterranean.

The exercises provide Moroccan forces with a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences with allies and discover the latest naval warfare techniques. This includes mine warfare and maritime drone usage, while strengthening skills to secure strategic passages such as the Gibraltar Strait.

Morocco’s participation reflects its commitment to international maritime security standards and ability to operate jointly with various military forces in different contexts.

Morocco has been a member of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue since its inception in 1994, and it was the first country in the dialogue to gain associate status with the Parliamentary Assembly of the same organization.

In 2004, Morocco also gained the status of a major non-NATO ally, strengthening its relationship with the alliance. These exercises represent an advanced platform for developing creativity and operational readiness of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

A respected actor within NATO

The Turkish Defense Ministry announced that the maneuvers will include training on mine countermeasures procedures. This preparation addresses potential missions related to removing floating mines in the Black Sea and clearing anchored mines following the Russia-Ukraine war.

The exercises involve 5 minesweeper ships, a command and control vessel, a frigate, a corvette, 3 attack boats, 2 search and rescue ships, 3 patrol ships, and 4 coast guard vessels. Also participating are 2 lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles, a helicopter, a drone, two F-16 fighters, a C-130 cargo plane, and two underwater defense teams.

From a technical perspective, this cooperation allows Moroccan sailors to test their skills in sensitive areas such as mine warfare, multilateral naval coordination, and joint operations management. These assets strengthen the country’s maritime deterrence capability.

Strategically, these maneuvers offer Morocco the opportunity to consolidate its presence in multilateral maritime security networks. This contributes to its transition from a security beneficiary to a security producer, within the framework of an integrated and independent military doctrine.

On the political level, this participation illustrates Morocco’s balanced defense policy. It is based on cooperation without dependency and openness without surrendering sovereignty. This approach has made the kingdom a respected actor within NATO military planning circles.

The “Distinguished Observer Day” for the exercises is scheduled for Thursday, with the training set to conclude on Friday, October 31.