NATO Arctic Deterrence Exercise Expands into the High North

From 17 to 23 July, the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group, centred on the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, assumed command of Exercise Neptune Strike 26-3. Directed by NATO’s Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO), the drill marked the first expansion of the Alliance’s recurring enhanced Vigilance Activity into the Arctic and North Atlantic, a region NATO identifies as strategically vital for deterring Russian activity.

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The multinational force integrated French FREMM frigate FS Aquitaine, HMS Somerset, HMS Duncan, and RFA Tidespring, which performed a replenishment-at-sea with the Danish patrol vessel HDMS Thetis after departing Iceland. The carrier’s air wing comprised eight F-35B jets, three Merlin Mk 2 helicopters, two Wildcat HMA2 helicopters, and two Malloy T150B uncrewed aerial systems; HMS Duncan added a further pair of Malloy aircraft. Warships, submarines, and aircraft from 14 allied nations—including Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and the United States—participated, providing realistic operational conditions such as variable salinity from melting ice that complicates anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

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Neptune Strike is part of Operation FIRECREST, the Royal Navy’s deployment to showcase the UK’s capacity to generate and command a modern carrier strike force within NATO. The exercise also supports Arctic Sentry, a NATO activity launched in January 2026 to reinforce deterrence across the GIUK Gap and High North. NATO’s broader “persistent presence” model—exemplified by Baltic Sentry, Eastern Sentry, and Arctic Sentry—aims to maintain continuous multinational forces in key regions rather than relying solely on periodic large-scale drills.

Navy LookoutEx Neptune Strike: HMS Prince of Wales leads carrier strike group operating with Nato neighbours

The alliance described the replenishment operation as “Nato interoperability in action.” — NATO

Ex Neptune Strike: HMS Prince of Wales leads carrier strike group operating with Nato neighbours

Following the conclusion of Neptune Strike, HMS Prince of Wales is slated to return to Portsmouth and later host the Atlantic Future Forum in Oslo on 11 – 12 November, signaling continued NATO engagement in high-latitude security.

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