MCM Black Sea task group resumes operations under Turkish command
Personnel launch a Teledyne Gavia autonomous underwater vehicle as part of MCM Black Sea activities, in a photo released on 19 January 2026. (NATO Maritime Command)
NATO-aligned Mine Countermeasures Task Group Black Sea (MCM Black Sea) launched its fourth activation on 8 January 2026, focusing on reconnaissance, exercises, and neutralising drifting naval mines in the western Black Sea. Running through to 18 January, the mission marks the beginning of Türkiye's six-month command term (January–July 2026).
Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, said at the change of command ceremony that Türkiye would conduct three activation periods during its current command term, with a continued focus on countering drifting mines in the western Black Sea.
Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov said MCM Black Sea had evolved beyond a purely operational construct, and on behalf of the Romanian Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Cornel Eugen Cojocaru highlighted the initiative's steady maturation since the signing of its initial memorandum of understanding (MoU) in January 2024, adding that each activation had refined procedures and strengthened interoperability through a process of collective learning.
For more, please see:Turkish Navy deploys Malaman sea mine during Exercise ‘Nusret 2025ʼ .
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