NATO under pressure: Russian submarines threaten the Atlantic!

NATO under pressure: Russian submarines threaten the Atlantic!

Tensions in the North Atlantic have risen noticeably in recent weeks. Britain's naval chief, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has warned of a growing threat from Russian submarines operating underwater that could threaten the UK's dominance in the Atlantic. Loud Mercury NATO's position in the Atlantic is "at risk" and there is no room for complacency as the British Navy has seen a 30% increase in Russian ships threatening British waters in the last two years.

Particularly alarming is the fact that Russia has used its reconnaissance ship Yantar to target British pilots with lasers. Jenkins calls for underwater activity to be taken seriously, as many Russian submarines often go undetected. With a modernized submarine fleet, Russia shows that it is used to operations in Arctic conditions, while NATO countries are under pressure with their water surveillance.

Armament and joint patrols

In light of these developments, the United Kingdom and Norway have signed an agreement to establish a joint fleet of at least 13 frigates to combat submarine threats. This agreement, known as the Lunna House Agreement, is a clear response to increasing threats from Russian ships. There have been increasing incidents involving Russian naval units in recent months, with the nations having to adjust their reconnaissance strategy. The region is particularly vulnerable as undersea cables, which are essential for global data communications, are repeatedly damaged - often in the vicinity of Russian shipping movements, such as 20 minutes reported.

The armed forces of the United Kingdom and Norway are currently active in the Arctic. The US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is conducting joint exercises there, while the British Royal Air Force is involved in submarine hunting with a contingent of eight P-8A Poseidon aircraft and the destroyer HMS Somerset. The Norwegians also sent reconnaissance planes into the air. This coordinated military response is designed not only to identify potential threats, but also to show the Russian Navy that NATO is ready to defend its interests. Based on the tracking data, it is known that British aircraft circled over the Norwegian Sea for several hours in order to locate the Russian submarine and observe its movement.

Technological progress and security strategy

To strengthen maritime security, NATO is pursuing the “Atlantic Bastion” initiative, which combines traditional military approaches with modern technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence. General Jenkins emphasizes the need to protect critical undersea infrastructure, such as submarine cables, as they are critical to global communications and are at risk from Russian activities.

It was also announced that Germany has increased its cooperation with Great Britain. German P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft are to take off from the Scottish military base at Lossiemouth. The British and Norwegian forces want to use their experience from the maritime coalition in support of Ukraine to ensure active monitoring of activities in the North Atlantic and northern regions. This step shows that, despite all the challenges, NATO has a good hand when it comes to arming itself against potential threats.