The Royal Navy seeks to maintain a certified under-ice operational capability centred on its submarine force as competition in the Arctic grows, according to a written response from the Ministry of Defence.
Responding to a series of parliamentary questions from Conservative MP James Cartlidge, Defence Minister Al Carns said the capability has historically been provided by the Royal Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines and is being continued through the Astute-class fleet.
Carns said: “The Royal Navy (RN) has maintained an under-ice capability centred on the Submarine Service through Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines and is certifying the new Astute Class to uphold this capability.”
The minister also confirmed that the most recent Arctic Ice Exercise conducted by a Royal Navy submarine took place in 2018. “HMS Trenchant conducted the last Ice Exercise in 2018.”
When asked whether another such exercise is planned during the current Parliament, the Ministry of Defence declined to provide details of future submarine operations. Carns stated: “It is the longstanding policy of this Department not to comment on future submarine operations.”
The Government also linked the capability to the evolving strategic environment in the Arctic region. Carns noted that the Strategic Defence Review has identified the High North and Arctic as areas of increasing geopolitical competition.
Carns added that the Government is examining options to address this environment through the defence planning process. “The Strategic Defence Review highlighted the High North and Arctic as an increasing area of competition for the UK, and the Defence Investment Plan is considering a range of options to meet this threat.”
This is frankly amazing that no UK SSN has gone under the ice for 8 years. The Secrecy surrounding our Submarines should be lifted in large measure. The present arrangements show what happens when there can be no proper public scrutiny of aspects of the service. We should also know when Ambush will definitely be certified to return to operations. It should also be known what spare parts have been removed to prevent this happening. Inadequate though it is, we have 5-6 Submarines afloat. One is currently serviceable. I like that wording because it tells us what is really happening.
Why is it amazing that no UK SSN has operated under the ice for 8 years? It’s a dangerous environment to operate in, lots of noise to hinder your attempts to find/track stuff, and unless you have an active sonar on you run the risk of a potential collision with the submerged part of an iceberg (Tireless in 2003).
Anything goes wrong onboard whilst under the ice, limits your options to recover the situation (Tireless 2007) safely. Operating under the Ice is not like it is in the movies, its really f**king dangerous and we try to avoid it where possible.
Doesn’t mean we can’t or won’t go under it, it just adds several more layers of stress to the mission.
FYI this month is the aniversery of the loss of life of 2 submariners on Tireless while operating under the ice in Mar 2007.
Deep where you been? Have you been avoiding this site a bit like me? Thanks for the info on the 2 lads lost, RIP boys, and bet most people weren’t aware or had forget (like me). You submariners are a little mad that’s for sure, respect mate. Every time you go out on patrol it’s a real operation, every single time, like going into space but more dangerous!!! Mad, totally crackers 👍
Still here mate, I spend more time reading/browsing the articles these days. Tend to throw in the odd reply if I believe it adds context. Far too much hysteria posted by ‘knowledgeable ‘ types these days. Can’t be bothered to get into a slanging match either. Must be an age thing!
Agreed mate, me too! But in occasion I do get into a slanging match, I try not to, but it’s just the young and angry me still trying to burst out and educate the clowns who talk the talk but………you know the rest! all the best to you mate 👍
Thanks, I learned something there.
Deep, a SME sorely missed in here mate!
Very much so.
I’d had the same conversation with him myself a while back, seeing a much respected SME back after so long.
I still recall some troll arguing the toss with him about Subsurface ops some years ago not having a clue what his background was.
As with you, Respect, never in doubt from me.
Mate thank you but have you noticed on here, less SMEs and more bullshit angry posts! Why I stayed away a while, plus work commitments etc lol 👍
Yes, several new or newish posters. There are too many more interested in bashing Trump than talking UK military matters. Some I wonder if they know anything at all on the subject of our military. If they do, talk of it? You also have some who I think are foreign trolls out to demotivate. Bashing our own political class is fair game for me, as their behaviour directly affects our military.
But yes, several SMEjs are no longer here.
I’d support a blanket ban on all politics myself, but nobody abides by it so why should we with our opinions?
Don’t worry chaps, you can always count on me to steady the ship.
😁
@Deep32 – Great to hear from you.
Always appreciate your contributions.
The fin isn’t ice capable.
Yup but you can soften the ice with the kettle – one thing an SSN isn’t short of is hot water!
2018. Pretty poor, isn’t it.
I thought that area was the Submarine Services playground.
It certainly used to be.
Talking of subs mate reports just come in a US sub has sunk an Iranian warship (not sure what type) with torpedoes well away from the conflict area! Any updates you know mate?
According to Osint videos and images, it was a Frigate, IRIS Dena
Not to mention a Corvette was also hit from the air I believe.
Pretty good day for the USN 👍
Edit: The Corvette was the IRIS Shahid Sayyad Shirazi
Bloody lovely
Thanks mate 👍
Read of that this afternoon mate, you must have missed it.
Sri Lankan coastguard picked up some survivors, was in the Indian Ocean apparently.
As Clunker says.
However, the US Sec for Defence is going all Hollywood again, saying first time a ships been sunk with a Torpedo from a Submarine since WW2.
And unless he’s only meaning the USN, in which case he should say, THAT honour falls to HMS Conquerer and the Royal Navy with Belgrano in 82.
☠️ V
Soz mate at work today, no phones/internet allowed, heard it driving home! Cheers for that, and yes the US getting carried away with trying to make history, that as you say was the RN 👍
Plus I believe a Pakistani sub during the 1970s and then the rumoured midget sub attack on a South Korean frigate this century.
Not that the Maga base will care.
I remember the South Korean sinking yes, forgot about that one 👍
Yes, the PNS Hangor in 1971.
Shows how peaceful the world has been since 1945. Only three submarine kills.
I hope, re T31, that this might focus minds in the RN and MOD about the folly in having a warship without ASW capability and sonar patrolling seas in which adversary or hostile nations have submarines. Which is likely to be everywhere.
First ship to be sunk by a submarine torpedo since the 2nd WW dont-cha know. Hegseth doesn’t live in a World outside of the United States and those it’s attacking at any given time it seems.
You are a bad man! 👍
I would’ve thought that this is where the Nuclear Deterrent might lurk and transit the place to appear on the other side of the world…
I suppose if they have concerns about endurance, they should revisit Heston Blumenthal’s Sous Vide solution for Submarine Food. Hell, I reckon that could be worked on all RN Surface ships, including the smaller OPVs, really extend patrol duration for crew supplies without expanding storage space and structural changes.
Does it include tangerine filled Christmas puddings? Miss those.
I’d be amazed.
Why would one of our Bombers move closer to Red Force SSN out looking for them? Also, assume they cannot fire Trident through the icecap so would have to surface?
Ice Station Zebra Is your next film DM, It’s got Ice Breaking Subs and everything !