about us

about us

The NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) is the only NATO Education & Training Facility (NETF) dedicated to the maritime domain. Officially established in 2008, is quality-assurance unconditionally accredited by Allied Command Transformation. Funded by Greece and multinationally manned, the Centre is located at the north-west of Crete, at the Akrotiri peninsula, in the northern area of Souda Bay, near the city of Chania, inside Hellenic Navy’s Souda Naval Base.

vision of the commandant

further develop NMIOTC as NATO’s primary Education and Training hub for the maritime dimension of projecting stability

about us

My vision is to further develop the concept of NMIOTC as a hub for the maritime dimension of projecting stability. To this end, we are undertaking a series of mid and long-term initiatives, such as establishing new individual and collective training products.

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latest news

15/07/2025

Farewell, TP ARIS – Welcome, TP AXIOS

The NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) announces the successful relocation of its longstanding training platform, ex-HS Aris (A-74), which recently departed from its berth at the NMIOTC premises in Marathi towards Souda Naval Base HQs, to then sail for its final, honorable mission. Utilized as a target during a scheduled live-fire training exercise, the ship made its last contribution to Hellenic Navy’s operational readiness. Ex-HS Aris, a vessel with a distinguished history dating back to 1979 and in long service as the Hellenic Naval Academy until its decommission in 2004, played a vital role in maritime interdiction training

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08/07/2025

Exercise Toxic Bay 2025 at NMIOTC

From 22nd to 27th June 2025, NMIOTC hosted and supported with its Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) the 1st edition of the Naval CBRN Exercise “TOXIC BAY 25”, which utilized a wide variety of the Centre’s training facilities and capabilities. This multinational CBRN exercise was organized by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) in cooperation with the Hellenic Navy General Staff (HNGS). The exercise objective was to train CBRN specialists and naval operators in all aspects of CBRN defence in a warm climate, in efficient management of CBRN events, using NATO’s five CBRN components per the relevant doctrine, and also

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08/07/2025

Integrating Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) into Maritime Interdiction: Part 3

In the concluding part of NMIOTC’s paper series on the application of MDO in MIO, Commandant NMIOTC, Commodore Periklis PIYIS, offers his assessment and outlook on the future of MIO. NMIOTC is more than just a NATO NETF; it plays a pivotal role in anticipating future challenges and equipping the Community of Interest with skilled personnel, right capabilities, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to effectively carry out contemporary Maritime Interdiction tasks. NMIOTC Special Issue – Future of MIO and MDO (part 3)  

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