Royal Marine Commandos carry out ice-breaker and weapon drills in sub-zero Norway
Royal Marine Commandos have been putting themselves and their weapons through some gruelling tests in sub-zero conditions in the Arctic Circle.
Marines on the Cold Weather Warfare Course conduct the infamous ice-breaker drills in Norway in which they take a controlled leap into freezing cold water with a bergen and ski poles.
Once they surface from the icy cold depths they must successfully push their bergen to safety before collecting their composure to secure their ski poles in the ice.
They then have to answer a question from their instructor before being given permission to climb out.
Elsewhere, members of 45 Commando have been getting to grips with their new individual weapon, the L403 A1, better known as the KS-1, in temperatures as low as -20°C.
A video posted on 45 Commando's X account showed a marine firing the 5.56mm weapon from crouched and kneeling shooting stances, using his ski poles as a set of improvised shooting sticks for greater stability.
He is seen wearing an all-white outer layer over his upper body, while wearing regular Multi-Terrain Pattern trousers.
The video shows the terrain in which he's operating to be largely snow-covered, but with exposed low scrub, hence the need for the two-tier camouflage approach.
The UK Commando Force is reaffirming its commitment to the High North by deploying to the Arctic Circle for Winter Deployment 25.
More than 2,000 service personnel have been deployed to northern Norway to hone their skills in the Arctic conditions.
They consist of Royal Marines, 24 Commando Royal Engineers, 29 Commando Royal Artillery, Commando Helicopter Force and various other supporting units.
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