Turkey kicks off largest navy drill in its history

Turkey is holding the largest navy drill in its history with over 100 vessels on all three seas surrounding the country.

The four-day drill, named 'Blue Homeland 2019,' began on Wednesday and will end on March 2. It’s the first time that an exercise includes all three seas and involves air and land forces as well.

Participating in the exercise are 103 navy ships in the Black Sea, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The drill was planned six months in advance in line with NATO rules and regulations.

The flotilla included 13 frigates, 6 corvettes, 16 assault boats, and 7 submarines, 7 mine hunting vessels, 14 patrol boats, as well as other navy vessels.

Turkey’s indigenous Bayraktar and ANKA Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and jet fighters will also participate in the drill.

The Turkish navy has taken significant steps in recent years to increase combat capability, to upgrade its fleet, and become stronger against national security threats.