Dynamic Monarch 24: NATO practises saving lives with cutting-edge submarine rescue capabilities

Hosted by Norway, the exercise will take place in Norwegian territorial waters between 9 – 19 September.

Held every three years, Dynamic Monarch is the world’s most challenging submarine rescue exercises. It brings together naval forces from across the Alliance to test and refine their submarine rescue capabilities.

Dynamic Monarch alternates between warm and cold water with this year’s exercise in Norway being the first cold water iteration since 2014. The exercise will involve 10 nations – Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. During the ten-day evolutions, participating navies and personnel will showcase the very latest in submarine rescue technology, operational strategies, and above all, enhance international cooperation to respond efficiently when lives are at stake.

Exercise planners developed complex scenarios to reflect real-world situations submariners might face. Participants will engage in coordinated efforts to rescue personnel trapped inside distressed submarines, testing their capabilities in communication, operational procedures and emergency response. State-of-the-art rescue ships NoCGV Barentshav (Norway), HMSwS Belos (Sweden) and TCG Alemdar (Türkiye) are taking part.

Specialist equipment also includes the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS), a rescue submersible that can evacuate submariners from a stricken vessel. Jointly owned by France, Norway and the UK, and based at HM Naval Base Clyde, it can dive down to around 600 metres to a submarine in distress and dock with escape hatches, enabling those inside to get out. It can rescue up to 15 people at a time, including patients on stretchers, returning them to the surface. Operating teams aim to have it anywhere in the world within 96 hours.

Also taking part in the exercise are multinational medical teams. They will practise treating trauma patients inside special decompression chambers on board the rescue ships.

“This exercise is a clear demonstration of the cooperation among submarine nations and the professionalism of the submarine rescue community,” said Commander, Submarines NATO, US Navy Rear Admiral Bret Grabbe. “It underscores the importance of international cooperation in ensuring that all nations are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to submarine emergencies. The skills and experiences gained here will significantly contribute to the interoperability of our navies and broader maritime security cooperation initiatives.”

“It’s positive for both NATO and Norway that Dynamic Monarch is being held in waters near Arendal this year,” said Norwegian Navy Commodore Kyrre Haugen, Chief of the Naval Fleet. “As our Allies get better at doing submarine rescue operations in colder climates, they also get to know our waters. NATO should be prepared to work together towards saving submariners in danger, no matter the area or what nation the submarine belongs to.”

Exercise Dynamic Monarch is a cornerstone in fostering interoperability among naval forces worldwide. It not only focuses on rescue operations in the most challenging of scenarios, it also incorporates new technologies and strategies that could be vital in saving lives during underwater emergencies.

The participation of multiple nations in the exercise highlights the shared responsibility of ensuring safe seas and the continued development of advanced submarine rescue techniques. Through Dynamic Monarch, Allies will strengthen their ties, improve joint operational capabilities and demonstrate their shared readiness to act in times of crisis.

Exercise Dynamic Monarch 24 is led by NATO’s International Submarine Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO), which enhances cooperation between Allies and Partners for submarine rescue.

ISMERLO is a global capability with more than 40 nations that helps facilitate an international response for a distressed submarine and improves the ability to respond to a call for assistance through its coordination role. Although established by NATO, ISMERLO supports all nations and pursues the involvement of global submarine-operating nations with a focus on the humanitarian aspect of saving lives at sea.

ISMERLO is based at NATO HQ Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in Northwood, UK.

MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces and the MARCOM Commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.