British Royal Marines have carried out a daring infiltration operation in the far north of the planet, emerging from the icy depths of an Arctic fjord aboard a German submarine during a major NATO military exercise.
The operation took place approximately 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, when British commandos used the German U-35 attack submarine to conduct a reconnaissance mission and simulated attack as part of Exercise Cold Response 26, which is believed to be the alliance’s largest military exercise in the region this year.
The exercise brings together 14 countries and more than 25,000 troops and simulates war scenarios in Europe’s far north, a region increasingly seen as strategic because of new sea routes and growing military competition in the Arctic.
Silent infiltration using a submarine
During the mission, the commandos stealthily emerged from the submarine and boarded inflatable assault boats (IRCs) that were used to reach the coast without detection.
From there, the teams moved into “enemy” territory with the objective of:
- do advanced research
- identify strategic positions
- guide naval fire on allied ships
- sneak back to the submarine
According to the deputy commander of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS), whose identity has not been released for operational reasons, the ability to drop teams from submarines is critical to modern Arctic operations.
“In the harsh environment of the high north, where extreme weather and enemy surveillance prevail, covert deployment of teams via submarine-launched boats provides the necessary stealth advantage to penetrate restricted areas and obtain critical information,” he explained.
Elite Commando Force units
The operation was carried out by some of the most specialized units of the British Commando Force, including:
- SRS (Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron)
- SRT (Special Reconnaissance Troop)
- 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery
These teams are responsible for operations ahead of the main force, conducting reconnaissance, target designation and intelligence gathering.
In particular, 148 Battery has specialized training in the coordination of naval fire, artillery and air strikes and supports both the Commando Force and British Special Forces units.
Enemy radar destroyed during exercise
During the simulation in Norway, commandos identified an “enemy” radar installation along the coast.
After locating the target, the 148 Battery teams called in NATO destroyers to attack the radar, simulating the neutralization of a system capable of detecting the approach of Allied forces.
A team leader from the unit said the mission also boosts the UK’s historical capabilities.
“Exercises like this remind us of our roots in the Falklands, when Unit 148 directed naval fire before the recapture of the islands. The combination of covert infiltration and naval support remains a key capability for operations in the High North,” he said.
Preparation for the defense of NATO’s northern flank
The operation is part of a large-scale British military deployment in the Arctic. Around 1,500 Royal Marines from the United Kingdom have been training in northern Norway since January in preparation for Exercise Cold Response on the 26th.
The exercise aims to strengthen NATO’s ability to defend its northern flank, particularly in a region where military presence and strategic interest are growing rapidly.
With its deep fjords, extreme climate, and vast areas with limited surveillance, the Arctic has become one of the most challenging — and at the same time the most strategic — environments for modern military operations.
+ Serbia equips MiG-29 fighters with Chinese CM-400 long-range supersonic missiles
Source and images: Royal Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
