Divers, fast boats and helicopters hunted sea mines near Athens during Aegean Seal 26-I, a multinational exercise led by the Greek Navy with five allied countries.
The Hellenic Navy General Staff released dramatic photos from the drills on Tuesday. Held from 11 to 22 October, the exercise covered the South Euboean Gulf and the Saronic Gulf.
Alongside the Hellenic Navy, personnel and equipment came from Estonia, the United States, Spain, Italy and Poland.
Aegean Seal targets mines in shallow water
Greek forces took part with special warfare craft, AETOS-type fast boats and S-70B Aegean Hawk helicopters. The navy’s Underwater Demolition Command also sent personnel and equipment.
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In addition, mine clearance teams, divers and autonomous vehicles that find and destroy mines joined the training. Medical and support staff took part as well.
During the drills, the teams worked through several training scenarios. Their main task was to locate and neutralise mines in very shallow waters, the navy said.
In particular, the training focused on mine warfare amid multiple and asymmetric threats. Teams practised dealing with both standard and improvised explosive devices, at sea and on land.
Greek Navy seeks more minehunters
The Greek Navy holds Aegean Seal every year. Its goal is to train the units that clear explosive devices and sea mines, and to help them work better together.
According to the General Staff, this year’s exercise helped maintain and boost operational readiness. It also improved cooperation between the forces of the six countries, the navy added.
The 2025 edition of Aegean Seal was based at Marathon, where US Navy mine-clearance teams trained alongside Greek special forces, US Navy photos show.
Greece hosted the ARIADNE25 naval drills in March 2025.
Athens is working to strengthen its mine warfare fleet. Earlier in October, Greece discussed taking two used minehunters from Italy. The navy currently has only two operational minehunters, Greek City Times reported.
Source: Proto Thema
