A Mine Hunting Operation was carried out off the coast of Seferihisar in İzmir as part of the Turkish Armed Forces’ EFES-2026 Exercise. During the training activity conducted by TCG Akçay Command, a sea mine detected in the exercise area was safely neutralized. The operation highlighted the Turkish Naval Forces’ capabilities in mine warfare, underwater search and detection, unmanned underwater systems and specialist diver operations.

At the beginning of the training, Colonel Kürşat Kurnaz, Commander of the 1st Search and Sweep Flotilla, provided information about the operation. Kurnaz stated that mine warfare technologies continue to evolve in parallel with developing technology, and that countermeasure systems and devices used to eliminate such threats are also being continuously improved. He underlined that naval mines remain a serious threat not only to military vessels but also to maritime traffic, port security and coastal operations.

Kurnaz emphasized that the underwater capabilities of mine hunting vessels are not limited to mine detection and disposal. These ships can also support search and rescue operations by locating ships or aircraft that have suffered accidents underwater and by providing visual data from their positions. Aydın-class mine hunting vessels, equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles, can dive to depths of up to 300 meters with sonar and camera systems and can neutralize detected mines by placing explosives near them.

One of the key features demonstrated during the exercise was the ability to detect and destroy mines while keeping ships and personnel away from the highest-risk areas. Aydın-class mine hunting vessels can examine suspected objects through remotely operated underwater vehicles and destroy mines using explosive charges carried by these systems. This method increases operational safety by reducing the need for personnel or vessels to enter mined waters unnecessarily.

The exercise also demonstrated the capabilities of mine warfare divers. Colonel Kurnaz noted that specialist divers assigned to mine warfare teams can dive to depths of up to 55 meters using semi-closed circuit diving equipment and can neutralize detected mines when required. In addition, with the development of lightweight autonomous underwater vehicles, mine warfare operations can now be carried out even in very shallow waters and at depths of up to 1,000 meters without sending ships or personnel directly into mined areas.

During the EFES-2026 training activity, the mine disposal process was carried out step by step. First, the area where the mine was located was identified. Military personnel aboard the mine hunting vessel then deployed a Lightweight Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, known as HOSA, into the mined zone. The remotely controlled system conducted an underwater search and scanning mission before returning to the Aydın-class TCG Akçay.

After the data collected by HOSA was evaluated by specialist personnel on board, the precise location of the mine was determined. Following this assessment, expert mine divers were directed to the area. Two divers reached the mine site by boat, placed the explosive charge prepared on board the ship onto the mine and then moved to a safe zone. The mine was subsequently detonated in a controlled manner and rendered ineffective.

Colonel Kurnaz also stated that the Turkish Naval Forces continue to maintain readiness against drifting mine threats in the Black Sea, particularly following the Russia-Ukraine War. This threat has once again demonstrated the importance of modern mine warfare capabilities for regional maritime security. The Mine Hunting Operation conducted during EFES-2026 showed Türkiye’s growing competence in naval security, underwater systems, mine disposal operations and the use of autonomous technologies in maritime environments.