NATO has launched its annual anti – submarine warfare exercise, Dynamic Mongoose 25, in the North Atlantic, with operations in and around Icelandic waters.

The Icelandic Coast Guard hosts the exercise and is coordinated by NATO’s Allied Maritime Command.

This year’s edition involves naval and air assets from several NATO members, including Canada, Denmark, Germany, and Iceland.

The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the UK, and the US are also contributing forces.

Participating units include surface ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters.

During the exercise, allied forces will conduct a series of live training scenarios to improve their ability to detect, track, and counter submarines under complex, multi-threat conditions.

Enhancing Interoperability
Allied forces are training in the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom-Norway (GIUK-N) Gap, a key strategic chokepoint in the North Atlantic, aiming to improve interoperability and readiness across maritime units.

The drills test submarine crews on evasion and response tactics while challenging surface ships and aircraft to detect and track underwater threats.

Naval units rotate between offensive and defensive roles, simulating real-time combat conditions that require rapid adaptation.

Maritime patrol aircraft support the operations with surveillance, reconnaissance, and mock strike missions against opposing submarines.

Boosting Security
Iceland’s position in the GIUK – N Gap makes it a strategic focal point for North Atlantic security as NATO forces work to strengthen maritime security and improve monitoring of submarine activity along key sea lines of communication.

Several NATO members in Northern Europe and the Baltic region have also stepped up maritime defense and deterrence efforts following a series of suspected sabotage incidents targeting undersea cables and blamed on Russia.

In this context, NATO launched a Baltic Sea monitoring mission in January.

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• The Defense Post