Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and her Merlin helicopter are taking part in intensive anti-submarine exercises in Norway this week as part of Exercise Arctic Dolphin, an annual event integral to the Norwegian Submarine Commander course.
A tweet from RNAS Culdrose, home to 814 Naval Air Squadron—known as The Flying Tigers—captured the moment, stating, “A formidable submarine hunting team – the @RoyalNavy frigate @HMSSomerset with her Merlin Mk2 helicopter… taking part in anti-submarine exercises in #Norway.”
A formidable submarine hunting team – the @RoyalNavy frigate @HMSSomerset with her Merlin Mk2 helicopter from The Flying Tigers, RNAS Culdrose’s 814 Naval Air Squadron. The ship is taking part in anti-submarine exercises in #Norway this week for Exercise Arctic Dolphin #814NAS pic.twitter.com/0kjMkejoJ8
— RNAS Culdrose (@RNASCuldrose) February 13, 2025
Exercise Arctic Dolphin is designed to provide valuable training for both future submarine commanders and surface and air units in anti-submarine warfare. Similar to last year’s drill, which saw participation from units across Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Denmark, this year’s exercise is conducted in the challenging waters of the North Sea and the fjords between the Sognefjord and the island of Stord.
Norwegian officials note that such exercises are critical to maintaining a high level of readiness in increasingly contested maritime environments.
They echo comments made by Captain Øystein Valland, Commander of the Royal Norwegian Submarine Service, who highlighted that operating in these harsh conditions provides essential experience for anti-submarine operations.
