NATO tests anti-submarine defences in North Sea as Russian activity rises

NATO has tested anti-submarine defences in the North Sea and waters off Scotland's north coast, as the Defence Secretary warned that Britain faces a more dangerous threat from adversaries on its doorstep.

Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Wes Streeting said the looming threat of war involved adversaries more dangerous than ever. One area of concern is at sea, where Russian submarine activity has risen in recent years. The exercise involved bomber aircraft and anti-submarine vessels, with a 24-hour deployment on the Dutch frigate Van Amstel, a vessel optimised for anti-submarine warfare.

From Stornoway, forces moved into waters beneath which gas pipelines and data links run, an area described as vulnerable and vital. In the frigate's control centre, sensor information was filtered and operators listened for the sound of Russian submarines. At Cape Wrath, a live fire exercise demonstrated defensive strength.

The report said there had been a 30% rise in Russian vessels threatening UK waters over the past two years. In April, three Russian submarines were tracked operating near critical undersea cables off Scotland's coast. A Dutch officer said the world had changed and defence spending had increased, but warned that the Van Amstel is the only anti-submarine warfare frigate the Netherlands Navy has. 'The sea is big and I am alone,' the officer said, adding that this was a challenge.

Danish intelligence has warned that Russia could seek to test the alliance's resolve in the coming months by launching a limited attack on a NATO country. Under Article 5, an attack against one member is an attack against all. Asked how worried he was, the Dutch officer said: 'If I connect that to what I witness at sea on a daily basis, yes, I am very worried.'

The exercise also involved the German frigate FGS Berlin, a NATO flagship for Northern Europe operating under French command. A double replenishment at sea was staged, with vessels on either side refuelling the Berlin. The complex manoeuvre is intended to double the time a frigate can stay at sea. Aircraft flew overhead while crews monitored the surrounding area and dealt with Scottish weather.

Officers said Russia appears to be probing UK waters, but that NATO has not yet seen a change in Russian military posture at sea. Concerns focus more on hybrid activity and tests, including a helicopter flying into a Baltic state the previous week. The war games were described as fictional but not far-fetched, showing unity and collaboration under pressure. The report also noted political disagreements among NATO member states, which some fear could stop the alliance triggering plans in time.