NATO’s annual advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare exercise began on Monday.

The Dynamic Manta 2021 will continue through March 5 off Italy's Sicily Island, the alliance’s Maritime Command said in a statement.

-Submarines from Greece, Italy, Turkey and the United States under NATO Submarine Command are joining surface ships from France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey.-

-This year, French Carrier Strike Group Charles De Gaulle will also join the training along with five surface units from France, Belgium, Greece and the United States- the command said.

It said that the aim of the drill is to provide complex and challenging warfare training to the participants to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills.

The command said that eight NATO allies are taking part in the exercise, including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the US.