NATO warns Russia 'we see you' after 'threatening' submarine 'surge'

Reports suggest that NATO has carried out an unusually intense anti-submarine operation in the Norwegian Sea after a Russian submarine was suspected of operating close to the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier.

According to defense sources, at least a dozen NATO P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the UK, US, and Norway were deployed over a 48-hour period, completing around 27 sorties. These aircraft are specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare, equipped with advanced sonobuoys and torpedoes.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Air Force (RAF) was actively involved in the mission and clarified that it was not part of a planned exercise making the operation stand out as a “highly unusual surge.” Analysts believe this was a direct signal to Moscow: “We see you.”

Key details:

• The RAF reportedly launched eight Poseidon flights from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.
• The US operated from bases in Iceland and Sicily, while Norway deployed aircraft from an Arctic Circle base.
• Some aircraft switched off their transponders to mask their locations, but flight-tracking sites still revealed circling patterns in a specific area of the Norwegian Sea.

Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe noted that this surge of activity strongly indicates a live operation against a Russian submarine.

While NATO has not confirmed the exact threat level, the timing coincides with the USS Gerald R. Ford’s joint training exercises with the Norwegian Navy raising concerns about potential Russian attempts to shadow or monitor allied naval movements.

An MoD spokesperson reiterated: “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.”