British Royal Marines carried out a daring infiltration operation in the far north of the planet by emerging from the icy depths of an Arctic fjord aboard a German submarine during a major NATO military exercise.
The operation took place about 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, when British commandos used the German attack submarine U-35 to conduct a reconnaissance and simulated strike mission as part of the Cold Response 26 exercise, considered the alliance’s largest military training event in the region this year.
The exercise brings together 14 countries and more than 25,000 troops, simulating war scenarios in the far north of Europe, a region increasingly seen as strategic due to new maritime routes and growing military competition in the Arctic.
Silent infiltration by submarine
During the mission, the commandos discreetly emerged from the submarine and boarded inflatable raid craft (IRC), which were used to reach the shore without being detected.
From there, the teams moved into “enemy” territory with the objective of:
- conducting advanced reconnaissance
- identifying strategic positions
- directing naval gunfire from allied ships
- returning stealthily to the submarine
According to the deputy commander of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS), whose identity was not disclosed for operational reasons, the ability to insert teams from submarines is essential for modern operations in the Arctic.
“In the harsh environment of the High North, where extreme weather and adversary surveillance dominate, the secret insertion of teams using craft launched from submarines provides the stealth advantage required to penetrate denied areas and gather critical information,” he explained.
Elite units of the Commando Force
The operation was conducted by some of the most specialized units of the United Kingdom’s Commando Force, including:
- SRS (Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron)
- SRT (Special Reconnaissance Troop)
- 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery
These teams are responsible for operating ahead of the main force, conducting reconnaissance, target designation, and intelligence gathering.
The 148 Battery in particular has specialized training to coordinate naval gunfire, artillery, and air strikes, supporting both the Commando Force and British special forces units.
Enemy radar destroyed during exercise
During the simulation in Norway, the commandos identified an “enemy” radar installation along the coast.
After locating the target, teams from the 148 Battery 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 reinforces historical British capabilities.
“Exercises like this remind us of our roots in the Falklands, when 148 directed naval gunfire before the retaking of the islands. Combining covert insertion with naval support remains an essential capability for operations in the High North,” he said.
Preparing to defend NATO’s northern flank
The operation is part of a major British military deployment in the Arctic. Since January, around 1,500 Royal Marines from the United Kingdom have been training in northern Norway in preparation for the Cold Response 26 exercise.
The training aims to strengthen NATO’s ability to defend its northern flank, especially in a region where military presence and strategic interest are rapidly increasing.
With deep fjords, extreme weather, and vast areas with limited monitoring, the Arctic has become one of the most challenging — and strategic — environments for modern military operations.
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Source and images: Royal Navy. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
