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Royal Navy frigate hunts down and charges at submarines in Norway’s fjords
18 February 2025
Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset hunted and charged full speed at allied submarines during an exercise to test hopeful commanders to the limit in Norway.
The Plymouth-based frigate spent two weeks in the fjords hunting Norwegian and Dutch submarines – firstly to test their trainee captains as they attempt to qualify for front-line command but also to develop the ship’s own ability to detect, track and classify adversaries beneath the waves.
The exercise – codenamed Arctic Dolphin – saw the British warship and her submarine-hunting Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron operate with Norwegian, Danish and Dutch allies along Norway’s complex coastline.
“This exercise has again proven the strength, co-ordination, and readiness of our NATO forces,” said Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Court.
“Operating alongside our international partners we continue to demonstrate our commitment to security and stability at sea.
“I’m also incredibly proud of the ship’s company for the professionalism they have displayed throughout the last two weeks, and our families and friends for their continued support.”
The submariners were undertaking the equivalent of the Royal Navy’s Perisher course –officially the Submarine Command Course – a punishing training process to become a front-line commander of a boat.
HMS Somerset and her Merlin helicopter – Mohawk Flight from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose’s 814 NAS, ‘the Flying Tigers’ – played the role of the enemy, relentlessly pursuing the submarines day and night in a game of cat and mouse.
The ship carried out high-speed approaches – including charging towards the submarine at full speed – and a range of complex manoeuvres to test submariners in the confined waters of the fjords.
For the Merlin Mk2 crew this was the perfect chance to practise hunting diesel-electric submarines at night in the highly complex environment, making use of the helicopter’s powerful sensor suite, including acoustic sensors, active dipping sonar and its active and passive sonar buoys.
The Merlin – one of the most capable anti-submarine warfare helicopters in the world – can also deploy radar, electric support measures and an electro-optical infrared camera to detect submarines at periscope depth.
The Merlin worked closely with allied aircraft and warships, including visiting Danish frigate HDMS Niels Juel. Vice versa the Dane’s Seahawk MH-60R helicopter landed on Somerset’s flight deck.
“The training has been a game of cat and mouse; there were occasions when we (the aircraft) had the advantage over the submarine and also occasions where the submarine made it very difficult for us,” said Lieutenant Charlie Homer, Mohawk Flight pilot.
“The period also assisted broader training, working with our NATO allies. There was an opportunity to land on the HDMS Niels Juel to transfer personnel and fly alongside P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operated by the UK, Norway and USA, Danish Navy Sea Hawk and French NH90 Helicopters.”
Mohawk Flight Commander Lieutenant Luke Maciejewski added: “This experience is invaluable in developing our tactics, ensuring our readiness to protect the UK’s Continuous at Sea Nuclear Deterrent and the UK’s critical under sea infrastructure against would-be aggressors.”
Sailors from HMS Somerset were able to experience life in allied navies, including with Dutch Walrus-class submarine HNLMS Zeeleeuw.
“I had the great opportunity to visit HNLMS Zeeleeuw and witness Submarine Command Course runs from the control room,” said Lieutenant Gregor Phillips, Submarine Liaison Officer.
“This was the best way to properly understand what ‘Teacher’ was trying to achieve with his student captains and allowed HMS Somerset to support their training to a much higher standard by creating challenging eyes-only scenarios through the periscope.”