Nato Task Force

Nato's 26 member states unanimously agreed earlier this year to send a naval task force on a look-and-learn mission around the coast of the African continent.

The visit to Cape Town this week by the powerful Standing Nato Maritime Group 1 task force represents the first move by the organisation, outside its traditional areas of operation.

The Nato ships, docked at the V&A Waterfront, will leave Cape Town on Monday to begin an extensive three-day programme of exercises with the South African Navy.

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