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From 17-19 June 2025, the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives Executive Committee (NCGP EC) held its second annual Plenary at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC). The meeting brought together Executive Committee members, Subject Matter Experts, and representatives from the NATO International Military Staff’s Office of the Gender Advisor (IMS GENAD) to enhance the integration of gender perspectives into NATO activities and operations – particularly in the maritime domain. Key discussions focused on regional security challenges along NATO’s southern flank. Highlights included a presentation by the Hellenic Coast Guard on irregular migration and trafficking, as well as a

From 11th to 12th June of 2025, NMIOTC hosted the Maritime Air Coordination Agencies (MACA) Conference. The Conference focused on strengthening relationships within the Maritime Air community and enhancing Command & Control and employment of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) across SACEUR’s area of responsibility. MPRA remain a key asset for NATO’s deterrence, defence, peacetime vigilance and Anti-Submarine Warfare activities. In the context of MACA Conference, COM MARAIR Rear Admiral Ilias Raptis HN paid a courtesy call to NMIOTC Commandant.      

From 19th to 30th May 25, a two-week Tailored Training package in the field of Maritime Interdiction was provided to fifteen (15) members of the Mauritanian (MRT) Navy, in support of NATO’s DCB for MRT. The modular structure of the activity included theoretical and practical training on Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), Tactical Sweep, MEDEVAC, Breaching, Boarding Under multiple Threats (BUMPT), RHIB insertion and other related to MIO topics. On the occasion of the training, Mr. Leonardo Scanavino, NATO’s Staff Officer Counter-Terrorism Section Operations Division (OPS), payed an office call to NMIOTC Commandant, to discuss future opportunities for NMIOTC

As NATO’s foremost training provider within the Maritime Environment, NMIOTC is leading the alliance’s efforts to incorporate Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) into Maritime Interdiction. Through a three part series, we explore the current state of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), how MDO greatly enhances the value of Maritime Interdiction, and we present a step-by-step guide for the implementation of MDO into MIO. Below you will find part one of the three part series. Parts two and three will follow shortly.  

The Underwater Post Blast Exploitation Training (UPX) was conducted from 26th to 30th of May 2025, at NMIOTC premises. Training objective was to provide comprehensive knowledge in investigating maritime terrorism incidents. The training included Diving Operations and Technical Exploitation of detonated improvised explosive devices found in a maritime environment. Seventeen trainees (17) from eight (8) nations attended the course (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy and the Netherlands). Subject Matter Experts from the FBI’s Explosives Unit and Critical Incident Response Group – Counter IED Section (USA), the Belgian EOD Battalion DOVO-SEDEE, the French GPD Manche and the Hellenic Navy

NMIOTC Resident Course 15000 “Managing Migrant related Incidents at Sea” was conducted from 26th to 30th May 2025 at the Centre’s premises. Course objective was to deliver the appropriate knowledge to naval and law enforcement personnel in order to prepare them to cope with the refugee and migrant-related incidents at sea. In total, nine (9) trainees coming from Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Türkiye attended the course. Subject Matter Experts from respective authorities such as the Hellenic Coast Guard provided support to the course as augmenters, in addition to the Centre’s instructors.