The Digester

Royal Marines launch Arctic insertion from German submarine during NATO Cold Response 2026

Mar 11th 2026

Royal Marine reconnaissance teams practised covert coastal insertion by deploying from a German Type 212A submarine inside the Arctic Circle as part of the multinational Cold Response exercise.

  • UK commandos were inserted from the German Type 212A submarine U-35 during Exercise Cold Response 26.
  • With no Royal Navy submarines available, teams launched inflatable raiding craft from the submerged SSK in a Norwegian fjord about 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle.
  • Participating units included the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron, Shore Reconnaissance Troop, and 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery.
  • Reconnaissance teams located a simulated hostile radar and relayed targeting data that enabled a mock naval gunfire strike.
  • Type 212A submarines use hydrogen fuel cell air independent propulsion, non magnetic hulls and quiet signatures to remain submerged for extended periods.
  • Cold Response 26 involves about 25,000 personnel from 14 nations and follows a winter deployment of roughly 1,500 Royal Marines in northern Norway.

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