Turkish warship deployed to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank
The Turkish warship TCG Anadolu, which is taking part in NATO military manoeuvres in the Baltic Sea, will be used as a deterrent on the alliance’s eastern flank, dpa has learnt.
The vessel, equipped to transport and launch drones, is heading for the coast off Latvia and will be brought under the command of NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM).
The Anadolu is an amphibious assault ship. As part of the NATO exercise Steadfast Dart on Wednesday, soldiers and material were brought ashore from the vessel near the Putlos military training area in northern Germany.
NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission in September last year after airspace violations by Russian fighter jets and kamikaze drones. The mission is aimed at mobilizing additional surveillance and air defence capacities for the alliance.