NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise underway in North Atlantic
Several NATO countries, including Canada, are currently participating in an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the North Atlantic.
“Exercise Dynamic Mongoose will ensure crews are prepared to respond to threats posed by sub-surface forces and demonstrate the Alliance stands ready to defend all Allies,” NATO said in a statement.
The exercise has taken place annually since 2012. Normally the exercise takes place off the coast of Norway, but is this year hosted by Iceland. (Iceland also hosted the 2017 and 2020 exercises.
In this year’s event, the participating nations will practice “hunting and being hunted” during the 11-day exercise, NATO said.
“High-tempo training will include dynamic scenarios to test all units’ ability to confront any threat within the subsurface domain – skills that are increasingly important as the Alliance continues to adapt to new security challenges,” the statement said.
Canada participating
The eleven nations participating in this year’s event are Canada, Denmark (along with the Faroe Islands), France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
A news release from the government of Iceland said 15 vessels, “several submarines,” and maritime patrol aircraft were involved in the exercise.
The vessels involved include:
- submarines from three Allied nations
- up to 15 surface ships from 10 Allied nations
- aircraft from seven allied nations
“These exercises enable our Allies and teams to sharpen their skills as well as work on new tactics while enhancing interoperability, coordination, and teamwork,” said Commander, Submarines NATO U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Stephen Mack.
Canada’s Department of Defence did not reply to requests for comment this week on how many Canadians were participating, any Canadian equipment involved, or what expertise Canada was able to contribute to the exercise.
Dynamic Mongoose 2023 runs April 24 to May 5.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: U.S. report claims Trudeau told NATO Canada will never meet military spending target, CBC News
Denmark: Arctic security key in upcoming defence agreement: acting Danish defence minister, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Russian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security, Yle news
Greenland: Growing focus on Arctic puts Greenland at higher risk of cyber attacks: assessment, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland authorizes U.S. submarine service visits, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway expels 15 intelligence officers at Russian Embassy, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian Arctic rescue exercise attended by observers from Iran and Saudi Arabia, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Russian spy ships surveying Nordic energy infrastructure, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. nominates Alaskan as first Arctic ambassador, Eye on the Arctic
