HMS Northumberland tests submarine hunting skills with Nato allies

A recent anti-submarine warfare exercise has proven how effective the Royal Navy and Nato warships are at dealing with underwater threats.

Twelve allied nations took part in the Nato-led Exercise Dynamic Mongoose between 24 April and 5 May, practising their response to sub-surface threats in the Norwegian Sea.

The Navy's submarine hunter HMS Northumberland used her advanced sonar and specialist Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to strengthen allies' ability to track and destroy threats lurking beneath the surface.

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HMS Northumberland's Commanding Officer, Commander Will Edwards-Bannon said: "It's great to be working alongside our Nato allies as part of the alliance's premier anti-submarine warfare exercise.

"Hunting submarines is a team sport and Dynamic Mongoose is an invaluable opportunity to not only train as an individual unit but also share expertise across the alliance – developing our collective defence across the underwater battlespace."

Northumberland can hunt and find enemy submarines beyond the range at which a hostile submarine might launch an attack on allied task groups.

The ship's most experienced submarine hunter, Chief Petty Officer (Underwater Warfare) Chris Griffiths said: "Geographically, the North Atlantic and adjacent waters are areas in which we routinely train, but also undertake live operations.

"To be able to bring this experience and knowledge to the table to support our Nato allies is beneficial to all, as we learn valuable lessons through working with our allied counterparts."

Iceland was the main host for the exercise, with Canada, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United States, and the UK taking part.

The waters between Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland were the setting for Dynamic Mongoose - the alliance's largest test of its anti-submarine forces in the North Atlantic.

Dynamic Mongoose was invaluable training for HMS Northumberland and her helicopter, which was operating over the Norwegian Sea for the first time this year.

The skills and experience gained during the exercise will be used on frontline operations and future exercises.