U.S. Forces Snubbed in Major NATO Drills

NATO conducts major 2026 exercises without U.S. forces, relying on Turkish drones to counter Russian threats in the Baltic—raising questions about America’s diminished role in defending Europe.

Story Highlights

Steadfast Dart 2026 in Baltic Sea marks first NATO use of Turkish Bayraktar TB3 carrier-based combat drones from TCG Anadolu, completing 232 sorties.
No U.S. conventional forces participate in Baltic exercise, testing European-led rapid response amid Russia tensions.
Dynamic Manta 2026 in Mediterranean integrates drone tech with submarine warfare from 10+ nations.
Turkish Navy leads amphibious operations, demonstrating new drone doctrine against hybrid threats.

Steadfast Dart Kicks Off Without American Forces

Steadfast Dart 2026 launched on January 2 in the Baltic Sea, hosted by Germany under NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum. The exercise involves 10,000 personnel from 11-13 nations, validating rapid deployment without U.S. conventional forces. Turkish Navy’s TCG Anadolu serves as the platform for Bayraktar TB3 drones, shifting from original F-35B plans after U.S. sanctions. This tests European autonomy in high-threat scenarios near Russia.

Turkish Drones Achieve Historic First in NATO

On February 14, Bayraktar TB3 drones from TCG Anadolu launched, struck a surface target with Roketsan MAM-L munitions, and recovered safely—the first full ship-to-target cycle for carrier-based drones in NATO history. The drones operated in -6°C conditions, completing 232 sorties by late February. Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu leads as CATF/CLF, declaring a new doctrine for amphibious operations. This builds on Ukraine conflict lessons.

Amphibious Assaults and Drone Counter-Training

February 18 saw Turkish and Spanish navies demonstrate amphibious landings at Putlos, Germany. Drone counter-training followed on February 20, addressing Russian submarine and UAV threats in the Baltic. Dr. Lee Willett notes this as a doctrinal first, tailoring Black Sea insights for Baltic responses. The exercise ends March 18, enhancing interoperability among allies like Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Dynamic Manta Targets Submarine Threats

Dynamic Manta 2026 began February 23 in the Ionian Sea near Sicily, focusing on anti-submarine warfare with subs from Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Unmanned surface vehicles and sonar drones integrate into hunts against Russia and China threats. Rear Adm. Bret Grabbe states drones remove luck from operations, affirming NATO readiness. U.S. presence here contrasts Baltic exclusion.

Russian Hybrid Threats Escalate Tensions

A suspected Russian drone approached French carrier Charles de Gaulle in Öresund in February 2026, intercepted by Sweden—denied by Moscow. Repeated Baltic sightings heighten risks, prompting NATO’s drone focus post-2022 Ukraine invasion and 2022 Madrid Summit high-readiness boosts. Baykar Technologies proves TB3 viability, eyeing EU exports via Leonardo joint venture.

Implications for U.S. Burden-Sharing

Absence of U.S. forces in Steadfast Dart pressures burden-sharing debates, signaling European reliance on Turkish innovation. Short-term, it validates drone-enabled assaults for Baltic deterrence. Long-term, affordable TB3 reshapes naval aviation, reducing manned risks. Experts like Willett call it a visible deterrent, while observers test transatlantic cohesion in a post-Biden era.