Conducted as part of 'Arctic Sentry' activities, Dynamic Mongoose aims to bolster readiness in this key region (Picture: Nato MARCOM) — Conducted as part of Arctic Sentry activities, Dynamic Mongoose aims to bolster readiness in this key region (Picture: Nato MARCOM)

Navy

Exercise Dynamic Mongoose: Nato's submarine hunting skills put to the test

21st May 2026 at 12:46pm

In the unforgiving waters of the Norwegian Sea, Nato allies from nine nations have manoeuvred into position and launched one of the alliance's most demanding maritime exercises.

While it may not roll off the tongue as easily as previous exercise names, Dynamic Mongoose – conducted as part of Arctic Sentry – provides a vital proving ground for allied submarine and anti-submarine warfare capabilities in testing conditions.

HMS Prince of Wales and her strike group – the Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan – are taking part in the exercise ahead of the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) under Operation Firecrest, aimed at deterring Russian aggression and protecting critical undersea infrastructure across the North Atlantic and the High North.

Premier maritime exercise

Submarines from Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal are participating, with Nato's Submarine Command having operational control over selected units.

Activities will include hunting and evading, in coordination with air and surface forces, helping to replicate real-life scenarios.

Maritime Patrol Aircraft contributed by nations including the UK, France and Canada will be supported by surface vessels from countries such as Denmark, Germany and Norway, integrating air, surface and subsurface assets.

Also in participation is Standing Nato Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), one of Nato's primary immediate-reaction naval forces that operates extensively in Northern Europe, the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

Commander of SNMG1, Royal Navy Commodore Maryla Ingham said: "Exercise Dynamic Mongoose is Nato's premier anti-submarine warfare exercise in the North Atlantic region every year, and I am delighted to command the task force for this iteration.

"We have an opportunity to work alongside allies, with a key focus on high-intensity training and multinational cooperation, whilst maintaining levels of readiness to safeguard our mutual objectives."

Activities will include hunting and evading, in coordination with air and surface forces, helping to replicate real-life scenarios (Picture: Nato MARCOM)

The exercise is one of several major drills led each year by Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, and is designed to strengthen the alliance's overall readiness.

Operations of this nature are a signal of the region's importance to the UK and its allies.

Back in April, First Sea Lord Sir Gwyn Jenkins described security of the High North and the North Atlantic as dependable "on our ability to act together with allies", permanently at pace.