NATO Warships Dock In Algeria For Joint Naval Exercise

Two NATO-member warships, Greece’s HS Kountouriotis and Italy’s ITS Montecuccoli, have docked at Algeria’s port of Oran for a four-day visit and joint naval exercise with the Algerian Navy. The PASSEX drill is aimed at improving maritime surveillance, exchanging expertise and strengthening military cooperation. The visit also included talks at Algeria’s Mers El Kebir naval base on advancing military cooperation and bilateral relations.

TWO NATO WARSHIPS ARRIVE IN ORAN

Two NATO warships have docked at the port of Oran in northwestern Algeria for a joint naval exercise with the Algerian Navy.
The Greek frigate HS Kountouriotis and the Italian patrol ship ITS Montecuccoli arrived on Sunday for a visit scheduled to continue until Wednesday, according to Algeria’s Defence Ministry.
The visit comes as Algeria continues to engage with several NATO member states on maritime security and military cooperation in the Mediterranean.

ALGERIA AND NATO VESSELS TO CONDUCT PASSEX DRILL

The Algerian Navy is expected to conduct a PASSEX exercise with the two visiting vessels.
PASSEX, short for “passing exercise”, is a relatively short naval drill commonly conducted between ships from different countries. It can involve communication, manoeuvring, maritime surveillance and coordination between naval forces.
Algeria’s Defence Ministry said the exercise is intended to promote the exchange of expertise and strengthen cooperation between the participating naval forces.

MILITARY COOPERATION DISCUSSED

The commanders of the Greek and Italian ships, together with their accompanying delegations, also visited the commander of Algeria’s main naval base at Mers El Kebir.
The discussions focused on ways to advance military cooperation and strengthen relations between the countries.
The meetings provide an opportunity for naval officials to exchange views on maritime security and operational coordination in the Mediterranean.

MERS EL KEBIR IS A KEY ALGERIAN NAVAL BASE

Mers El Kebir, located along the coast near Oran, is Algeria’s largest naval base and one of the country's most important military facilities.
It forms part of Algeria’s western maritime zone, which covers coastal waters close to the border with Morocco.
The location gives the naval base strategic importance because of its position along the western Mediterranean and near important maritime routes.

ALGERIA HAS HELD SIMILAR EXERCISES

The latest exercise is not the first time Algeria has conducted naval activities with NATO-member countries.
Algeria has previously participated in similar maritime exercises with NATO countries in the Mediterranean, allowing its navy to practise coordination and exchange operational experience with foreign forces.
The cooperation, however, does not mean Algeria is a NATO member. Algeria maintains its own independent defence and foreign-policy positions.

MEDITERRANEAN SECURITY REMAINS IMPORTANT

The Mediterranean remains an important area for maritime security because of its busy shipping routes, migration flows, energy infrastructure and military activity.
Navies operating in the region regularly conduct exercises designed to improve surveillance, communication and coordination.
For Algeria, cooperation with foreign naval forces provides an opportunity to strengthen its maritime capabilities while maintaining control over its territorial waters.

THE FOUR-DAY VISIT

The Greek and Italian vessels are expected to remain in Oran until Wednesday.
During their stay, naval officials will continue military and diplomatic engagements before the ships leave Algerian waters.
The exercise highlights Algeria’s continuing naval cooperation with European countries and the importance of maritime security in the western Mediterranean.