'Spotted': Russian submarine seen in High North as HMS Prince of Wales begins fighter jet and allied exercises

A Russian attack submarine has been spotted in the area where the Royal Navy flagship is operating.

Nato forces spotted the Kilo-class submersible in the High North. HMS Prince of Wales will be operating in the strategically important region with allied forces, commencing the second stage of Operation Firecrest.

In a social media statement, Nato Maritime Command said: “SPOTTED: A Russian Kilo-class submarine in the High North, observed by Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). Anti-submarine warfare is a team effort. Ships, submarines, aircraft and helicopters from across the Alliance work together every day to detect, track and, if necessary, counter any threat beneath the surface.

“Our posture is defensive, our readiness is credible, and our resolve is clear: to deter aggression and keep our one billion people across Europe and North America safe.”

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins previously warned that the fleet needed to be bolstered to deal with the growing threat of Kremlin submersibles. Such capabilities and spy ships have been spotted in the area in the past, threatening UK undersea cables and other infrastructure.

Kilo-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submersibles which started originally being built by the Soviet Union, More than 70 were constructed and as of 2023, 60 were in active service.

HMS Prince of Wales left Portsmouth on October 18 to take charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG), alongside the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. Operation Firecrest involves various military training drills with Nato allies in the North Atlantic and High North.

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Exercise Global Thunder took place in the Norwegian Sea this week. RAF F-35B fighter jets escorted US B-52 aircraft alongside Norwegian F-35s as part of intense flying drills. HMS Prince of Wales has also taken part in Exercise Neptune Strike.

A statement from Nato Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) said the carrier is under Nato command for that phase of operations. “Neptune Strike puts Allied carrier capability to work in a strategically vital region — testing command and control, strengthening maritime-air integration and demonstrating NATO’s ability to operate at scale across the northern approaches,” they added.

“As part of Arctic Sentry, the activity strengthens Allied presence and reinforces NATO’s ability to deter, defend and respond across the region.”