British Frigate ‘charges’ at submarines in Norwegian waters

HMS Somerset has been honing its anti-submarine warfare skills in the Norwegian fjords, charging at allied submarines at full speed as part of Exercise Arctic Dolphin.

According to a Royal Navy news update, the two-week exercise tested trainee submarine commanders from Norway and the Netherlands while sharpening the Royal Navy’s ability to track and engage underwater threats.

The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate, along with its Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron, played the role of the enemy, relentlessly hunting Norwegian and Dutch submarines in a complex game of cat and mouse. The exercise involved high-speed approaches and complex manoeuvres designed to push submarine commanders to their limits.

Commander Matthew Court, HMS Somerset’s Commanding Officer, highlighted the importance of the exercise in the update:

“This exercise has again proven the strength, co-ordination, and readiness of our NATO forces. Operating alongside our international partners, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to security and stability at sea.”

The exercise saw HMS Somerset collaborate closely with NATO allies, including Norwegian, Dutch, and Danish forces. The Danish frigate HDMS Niels Juel played a supporting role, with its Seahawk MH-60R helicopter landing on Somerset’s deck as part of interoperability training.

A Merlin Mk2 helicopter from Mohawk Flight was critical in the operation, using its powerful sonar suite to detect and track submarines in the challenging underwater terrain. The Merlin’s sensors, including active dipping sonar, passive and active sonar buoys, radar, and infrared cameras, allowed it to detect submarines even at periscope depth.

Lieutenant Charlie Homer, a Mohawk Flight pilot, described the intense nature of the training:

“The training has been a game of cat and mouse; there were occasions when we had the advantage over the submarine and also occasions where the submarine made it very difficult for us.”

Exercise Arctic Dolphin is a crucial event for NATO’s submarine warfare training, particularly for submariners undertaking their version of the Royal Navy’s rigorous Perisher Course—the grueling test that determines whether a commander is fit to lead a frontline submarine.

Lieutenant Gregor Phillips, Submarine Liaison Officer on HMS Somerset, had the opportunity to observe training first-hand from aboard the Dutch Walrus-class submarine HNLMS Zeeleeuw. He was quoted as saying:

“This was the best way to properly understand what ‘Teacher’ was trying to achieve with his student captains. It allowed HMS Somerset to support their training to a much higher standard by creating challenging eyes-only scenarios through the periscope.”

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