'Real success' for HMS Prince of Wales carrier group on submarine-hunting 'cat and mouse' operations

“First class” training was delivered to Royal Navy personnel during a series of “cat and mouse” exercises.

HMS Prince of Wales and the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) were involved in Nato’s premier submarine-hunting operation. Exercise Dynamic Mongoose finished on May 29 in the Norwegian Sea.

Personnel from nine nations sharpened their warfare skills during a series of attack and defence drills in the High North. The capabilities involved include submarines, surface ships, helicopters, Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and autonomous systems. British sailors assigned to Nato’s Standing Maritime Group 1 (SNMG), led by the German frigate FGS Saschen, were fully involved in the operations. The UKCSG also monitored the activity of a Russian spy ship loitering nearby.

Commander of SNMG1, Commodore Maryla Ingham, said: “Exercise Dynamic Mongoose has been a real success for SNMG1, and for all the wider Allies and Partners that have participated. We have proved the successful integration of advanced capabilities and technologies, as well as refining and refreshing our tactics, techniques and procedures, during an increasingly complex series of exercises against live submarines.”

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Surface ships performed advanced manoeuvres and completed Replenishment at Sea drills. Submarines conductive intensive one-on-one surface warfare training, while they were used in offensive and defensive roles in operational scenarios. Nato Maritime Command said crews exercised standard patrol and detection tactics in a dynamic “cat and mouse” environment that tested coordination, endurance, and tactical decision-making.

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins previously said Russia is bolstering its subsurface forces, with the Royal Navy and Nato needing to respond through creating a hybrid force and training alongside allies. Britain and Norway have already signed a pact to hunt down Russian spy ships. Nato Maritime Command said Exercise Dynamic Mongoose created a “highly realistic operational environment” that tested their ability to “detect, track, and counter underwater threats”.

Commodore Ingham added: “The area in which the exercise took place is of strategic importance for the Alliance and training in the area helps us understand the environment. All of this has provided first class training for the crews of Maritime Patrol Aircraft, anti-submarine helicopters, ships and submarines. It has enhanced our interoperability and the integration of nine different nations across the force has shown our ability to work seamlessly together. I am proud of the hard work of the sailors and aircrew from every nation which participated. Dynamic Mongoose demonstrates our will and ability to deter and, if necessary, defend the Alliance.”