'Dynamic Mongoose' Tests NATO's Submarine Defences

Four submarines are prowling the cold North Atlantic as they attempt to test NATO's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The boats - from the USA, Germany, Sweden and Norway - are tracking 13 surface ships as part of the annual 'Dynamic Mongoose' exercise.

Over the next fortnight the submarines will take turns to approach and relentlessly target the ships in simulated attacks.

While the subs will be trying to complete their tasks undetected those on the surface will be doing their best to find them.

Hosted in the icy waters off Norway the host nation is also providing research vessels and maritime patrol aircraft, complemented by planes from France and Germany.

The exercise comes amid concern that Russian submarines are getting increasing audacious in encroaching into other countries territorial waters - including that of the UK and Sweden which last week dropped depth charges on a mystery vessel detected near Helsinki. 

For its part the Royal Navy has sent the frigate HMS Portland.

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