Turkey Takes Command: Leads Major NATO Drills and Naval Force in 2024

Turkey Takes Command: Leads Major NATO Drills and Naval Force in 2024 Turkey is assuming a prominent role in NATO's military readiness, taking command of a key naval strike force and deploying thousands of troops and homegrown technology to the alliance's largest exercises this year. The Turkish Naval Forces officially assumed command of the NATO Amphibious Task Force and its Landing Force Command on July 1 [54453]. This role, which will last for one year, puts Turkey in charge of planning and leading NATO's amphibious exercises and potential missions in the region [54453]. Concurrently, approximately 2,000 Turkish troops have deployed to Germany to participate in NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise, the alliance's biggest drill of the year [70222]. The exercise, running from February 8 to February 20 across Europe, is a major demonstration of NATO's ability to rapidly deploy forces [70222]. In a separate but related NATO exercise, Steadfast Dart 2026, Turkish naval and army units are conducting complex joint amphibious operations in Germany [80228]. A notable feature of Turkey's participation is the operational use of its own domestically produced defense platforms on the international stage [80228]. These developments highlight Turkey's active and technically advanced role within the NATO alliance. The command of the naval task force is part of the alliance's routine rotation of duties among member nations [54453]. Turkey Assumes Command of Key NATO Naval Strike Force **NATO's Biggest 2024 Drill Begins with Turkish Troops Landing in Germany** Turkish Forces Deploy Homegrown Tech in Major NATO Drill