In a Norwegian fjord inside the Arctic Circle, the ‘Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron’ launched small teams from an Astute class submarine for ‘subsurface insertion’ missions.
Their aim say the Royal Navy? Reconnaissance missions on the rocky, icy shoreline in sub-zero temperatures while avoiding the multi-national ‘enemy’ force hunting them.
“The Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron – drawn from Plymouth-based 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group – is a specialist team of commandos who forge the way ahead for their fellow green berets to follow.
They are trained to gather valuable information on the terrain, the enemy and suitable beach landing places for larger amphibious forces to come ashore, arriving by ski, snowmobile, boat, all-terrain vehicles, helicopter or parachute, depending on the situation and environment.”
The SRS team leader explained:
“Being able to move sub-surface gives us a discreet means of moving our specialist teams to any coastline in the world. Not only can we conduct operations in isolation but by accessing and reconnoitring these complex coastlines by small craft we can set the conditions for larger, more lethal follow on forces.”
Commodore Jim Perks, the head of the RN Submarine Service, was quoted as saying:
“The ability to operate undetected for significant periods of time with top quality kit ensures that a submarine remains a formidable delivery mechanism, in this case enabling the covert deployment of the Surveillance and Reconnaissance team as showcased in the exercises off Norway. Our ability to work together highlights the remarkable attributes of the team and the platforms in which we operate.”
You can read more here.
Brrrr. That would be cold
During the 60s the US had the USS Seaview which had a flying sub which could be used to drop off troops on the QT, meanwhile 60 years later the Royal Navy uses rubber dingies.
Cue pinging sound
Ha ha – very, good.
Quality programme though.
Love Seaview, getting the model.
Was never convinced that the flying sub had the capacity to accomodate an adequate number of troops without upsetting its CoG. I agree a useful bit of kit in the recce role though. And a cool colour scheme.
Those two blokes in the rubber dinghy are sure going to scare the s*** out of those damn Ruskies!
Especially if they turn up outside Sevastopol on a dark night with limpet mines…
That’ll be the SBS mate.
That’s not their job though is it it’s what follows them that does that. And let’s hope the Ruskies are equally blind as you seem to be missing the 4 in the other dingy, plenty enough to do their prescribed job.
Ouch!
So its not sub surface delivery which would be really sneaky But conning and casing sticking out with a Gemini on the arse end infa red and night vision by the opponent would have seen and targeted them little dit we had infrared night shoulder sighting during Granby before anyone says differently wasn’t fun having on your sholder it was charged too 2000 psi
One $40,000 NLAW should do the trick.
Do you think the Ukrainians would sell us one back Rob 🚀
I think we would get it back in one way or another!
Give a Thing take a thing ,that’s a Devils plaything as my late mother would say Rob
In a real war would they have an SSN spare or risk one that close to shore to surface to do it? I understand they can use a chamber to get a team out whilst submerged , or use a small submersible that sits piggy back.
It is probably the sole area that an SSK has an advantage, smaller and far cheaper for that sort of mission.
Bet that chills the extremities
Good question. I’d assume not, however at the same time I think it important to have this capability and train in its use. Especially as it could easily be used outside of a hot war scenario or in a hot war scenario not directly involving the UK (such as Ukraine).
Cockleshell hero’s been there done that. 21st century, and we are putting ‘commando’s’ ashore in rubber dinghies… really?
In a real conflict I can’t see a billion pound 7,000 ton SSN surfacing to land Royal Marines!
Id think it was more to do with a slow time training ex carried out in a sheltered bay during daylight hours on a calm day in which to allow the participants to practice at leaving a sub. I suspect in real life, the sub wouldn’t enter a fjord during a time of tension, and neither would the sub surface to drop blokes off and then there is this which allows a number of men covered from head to toe in rubber to squeeze themselves into a small wet dark hole which craps them out at an ungodly hour in… Read more »
This is the Mi6 swimmer deliver vehicle
😆
Well James was a CDR C.D .Officer ,and this does beat congestion charges whilst in Londo if going up the Thames Davey
During the later years of The Second World War ,the RN used the Xcraft used against the Tirpitz, DDay beach reconasonce, and against the Japanese at Singapore Should have kept a branch in the silent service I know we have a rescue submersible but any cloack and dagger vessels or is that a need too know bases
I think we should have at least a couple of SSK’s and see how that works out. It would be the littoral where they would come into their own. Operate them in conjunction with other NATO navies for support. My Mum was on Admiral Ramsay’s staff at Southwick for D Day, just saying.
Thanks Jonno you must be really proud of your Mum , we never hear of the Backstage Actors who dreamt up such a massive operation , never in the limelight always in the shadows , one other thing had a draft to Dolphin when the P and Os were coming too the end of their adventures and Upholder class were about too come into service What a Whitehall cluster fxxx those Boats could have continued in a sneaky capacity But no the RN shall have an all Nuclear submarine service at a price compared too SSKs a fraction of a… Read more »
@challenger said he could not imagine a submarine, surfacing to drop off Royal.
With the few we have, i can’t imagine RN embarking any Royal.
You are giving the Russians way too much credit.
Little kit and demotivated men.
The Royal Marines would mop them up. As usual there are lefty Brits on here enjoying knocking their own nation. They are the 5th column.
Seems to me to be a dangerous job for an SSN. I do like the Swedish concept for their A-26 submarine and its Multi Mission Portal, basically an extra large torp tube for divers. I do wonder if the UK could get some of these AIP subs together with Sweden, we could possibly get five for the price of two SSNs. With three 6 round VLS modules for Tomahawk, four torp tubes and a Multi Mission Portal with a possible SBS carrier submersible boat it would prove a useful addition to the fleet if operated in the waters of Northern… Read more »
In ideal world there could be a few subs for these roles, Dropping in marines, real sneaky stuff. If we are taking up our role in nato which looks like we do Norway and the Baltic’s some subs for these areas would be welcomed. Has to be able to carry the dry deck and the underwater kit. The diesel boats are quite expensive these days. Much smaller crew tho. Up until Ukraine I was never a fan and would of said nuclear boats were needed. The Royal Navy really needs both and as nuclear boats aren’t going to happen anytime… Read more »
Monkey Spanker, Hi. This is my point, would I like to see an RN with 12-15 SSNs yeep but I also must think on cost, areas of operation and types of operation. I keep coming up with a minimum of 8 SSNs and 9-10 AIPs. As we have not built any AIPs or SSKs basicaly non nucs for many years then I looked at what is suitable in needs requirements and nations that we oprate with. Sweden seems to be the best of these nations in the AIP designs. As for our limited SSNs if we could get some AIP… Read more »
12 nuclear boats shouldn’t be a massive stretch as this is what was used before. Only way I can see it happening is for the 12 to be ordered after dreadnoughts are out the way. I would try and speed the dreadnoughts up if possible and get started on attack subs ASAP. Australia needs them ASAP also. Really depends if they are going for Virginia or not. If a joint program with the Aussies could be agreed that would be 20 boats.
On the subject of our British Commandos, for those who have not seen it,Google 1899-1902 The Legend of the Boer Fighter showing amazing colourised photos of Boer combatants who were the original Kommandos. Turn up the volume and watch this stunning piece of history
Thank you Geoff for sharing that link. Great footage.
Pleasure Emjay. They were hardy men and an adversary to be admired. It was a tragic and unnecessary conflict that created strong feelings of bitterness that linger in some quarters to this day
I realise this was only an excercise but in real terms surely such a scarce and highly precious asset like an Astute would never be put at risk in such a low end venture. In the days of mini subs and plentiful diesel units it would be a different story
Give a thing , take a thing .That’s a Devils plaything so my Late mother would say
All these little specialist groups confuse me. Isnt this a primary role of the SBS? Scouting ahead of landings?
There are non SF units in the military that can do this, by land, sea, or air.
148 and 4/73 are examples.
Why use Tier 1 SF for when they can be used on other strategic tasks.
Hello Daniele!
Afternoon!
She’s trimmed down aft! Wow. I guess that acts like a kind of ‘beach’ for the dinghies?
The weight of those four hefty matelots?😂
Would it be possible for the UK to licence-build an existing diesel/AIP/SSK design? Similiar to the Type 31. A26? 216? The 216 design has vertical tubes, could be used for commando delivery.
Might they be covertly deployed in certain waters of the Black Sea? Crimea, etc….