From 24 March to 4 April 2025, Exercise Dynamic Mariner 25 is taking place in the western Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, including Spanish territorial waters. As NATO’s largest maritime exercise this year, the operation brings together 1,500 marines and personnel, 30 ships, two submarines, amphibious units and aircraft from six Allied Nations: France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Türkiye.
Dynamic Mariner 25 is a tactical level live exercise, sponsored by Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). The main purpose of the exercise is to test NATO’s maritime strength, interoperability, and rapid response capabilities, ensuring that Allies stand ready to protect the sea domain in every threat environment scenario.
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), as NATO’s technology hub and cyber defenders, is supporting the preparation and execution of Dynamic Mariner 25, ensuring network connectivity, providing CIS support during the exercise, and safeguarding operational communications from malicious threats.
Support was provided by NCIA experts based in the CIS Support Unit (CSU) in Northwood, United Kingdom, located near MARCOM Headquarters, and CSU Torrejon, Spain, in proximity to the Combined Air Operation Centre.
The NCIA’s NATO Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) deployed five cyber security experts to practise logistical deployment and provide cyber defence during the simulated cyber-attack. Cyber experts from NATO’s cyber Rapid Reaction Team (RRT) are offering their expertise and capabilities to respond to cyber security incidents and crises.
“This exercise is not just a test of our cyber incident response capabilities but also a crucial step in enhancing our coordination with deployed teams in an operational environment,” stated Major Serbay Cetinkaya, Cell Head at NCSC. “Strengthening our ability to respond to evolving cyber threats in real time will ensure greater resilience and readiness for future challenges.”
In an ever-evolving and unpredictable security landscape, Dynamic Mariner 25 highlights Allies’ readiness to react and respond, demonstrating the strength of the Alliance. Coordination and collaboration remain key to effective operations.