The RAF has scrambled spy planes after an unidentified Russian submarine was detected making threatening moves against a US aircraft carrier operating off the coast of Norway
The Royal Air Force scrambled spy planes after a Russian submarine was detected making threatening moves against a US aircraft carrier off the coast of Norway.
Defence sources said a “highly unusual surge” of activity prompted a NATO response, with alliance members deploying at least 27 submarine-hunting sorties since Sunday as they desperately try to track down the Kremlin vessel. It’s understood the mission started at around 7pm Sunday and lasted around two days.
It comes as the £11billion USS Gerald R. Ford has been carrying out exercises in Arctic waters with the Norwegian Navy. The ship is the world’s most advanced and expensive aircraft carrier.
READ MORE: Ukrainian soldiers to be trained by Britain for another yearREAD MORE: Ukraine ‘suicide drones’ attack Putin’s key energy plant in crippling blow
For its part in the operation, the RAF dispatched eight P-8A Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Norway’s Air Force has deployed its own aircraft from its Arctic base near Narvik.
According to The Sun, US naval planes – equipped with anti-submarine sensors, torpedoes and missiles – have been sent from bases in Iceland and Sicily to bolster the response. Equipment onboard allows them to detect submarines under the surface of the ocean.
According to flight tracking websites, one of the RAF Poseidon aircraft hovered over the Norwegian Sea for several hours. It was detected around 60 miles west of the Norwegian Lofoten Islands.
To keep the mission secret, many of the aircraft will have switched their transponders off. While the aircraft flew overhead, the Royal Navy’s HMS Somerset – a specialist anti-submarine frigate – was also deployed to help the search.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The UK’s P-8 Poseidon aircraft work continuously on operations, protecting national interests and keeping the UK and our allies safe. For security reasons, we will not comment on operational details.”
Former Royal Navy submarine commander Ryan Ramsay told MailOnline the robust response was designed to be a show of force. “This is NATO showing they are in control,” he said. “Either they have already found the submarine, or submarines, and they are holding it – or they haven’t got it yet and need to get hold of it.”
Former Navy commander Tom Sharpe added: “It looks like they have found a Russian submarine and they are hammering it. It is telling Russia: ‘We see you’.”