NATO has intensified maritime patrols and surveillance flights in the High North and the Atlantic, through the Baltics and down to the Mediterranean in direct response to Russia’s ongoing warfare in Ukraine, states the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM).
In MARCOM’s leadership staff, we find Rear Admiral Bret Grabbe, Commander Submarines NATO (COMSUBNATO). He has the operational command of submarines assigned to NATO and plans and conducts the alliance’s submarine-focused exercises.
“NATO keeps a close watch over maritime activity in the High North, including through regular submarine patrols,” says Grabbe to High North News via a video link.[…]
The Russian Northern Fleet has gained increased significance as NATO countries now dominate the Baltic Sea – and the access to the Atlantic Sea for the strategic and tactical submarines that operate from the Kola Peninsula has become more important to Russia.
”Thus, a Russian desire for access to the Atlantic Sea for submarine operations overlaps with NATO’s need for sea control in Norwegian ocean areas. This dynamic is the object of continuous operations and high priority among the nuclear weapon states,” stated the Defense Commission. Läs artikel