The NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) has taken part in an exercise to prove it can be flown, by the Royal Air Force, to anywhere in the world.

A tri-national government capability jointly owned by France, Norway and the UK, the NSRS is one of the world’s leading submarine rescue capabilities.

Developed to be fully air-mobile, this global capability can evacuate stricken submariners from a submarine disabled on the seabed at depths down to 610 metres.

With 350 tonnes of unique equipment that needs 27 lorries and several aircraft to mobilise, this exercise was key to proving the system can respond quickly.

An important part of the rapid response needed for a submarine emergency is transporting the system by road to an airport, which on this occasion was RAF Brize Norton.

A police escort was practised during the event, with every police force between Glasgow and Brize Norton used to provide a constant blue light presence to the convoy.

Once at Brize Norton, the Submarine Rescue Vehicle, effectively a mini-submarine, was loaded on a simulator with the exact dimensions and deck arrangement of a C-17A Globemaster. Some of the heaviest support equipment was also loaded onto a similar simulator for the A400M Atlas military transport aircraft.

This was the first use of the A400M Atlas for NSRS transport and means the aircraft can now be used by UK and NATO partner nations’ air forces for future mobilisation, enhancing the ability for rapid deployment of NSRS. Both loading events were conducted by the specialist RAF team at the Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

This is a piece of specialist equipment we hope never to have to use, but the ability to mobilise the NATO Submarine Rescue System at short notice to anywhere in the world is reassuring for the UK and our allies.

If a submarine is in trouble we will need to respond fast. Ensuring we have a tried and tested response is how we can be ready for any eventuality.

Captain Lyons RN, Operating Duty Holder for the NSRS, who witnessed the operation, said:

Rescue of the crew from a stricken submarine will require numerous agencies to operate efficiently as one team, and this loading exercise on to a military aircraft is a vital aspect to maintain training and currency for our RAF colleagues.

I was delighted to see them maintain efficient and close control of this unique vehicle that is relied upon by so many nations.

The exercise tempo for all parts of the system is relentless, as it must provide assurance to all our partner nations that the NSRS remains rescue ready.

The NSRS is delivered on behalf of the Royal Navy, Marine Nationale, and Norwegian Navy by the DNE’s Submarine Delivery Group, with JFD Global as the service contractor.

Exercises like this help ensure the NSRS team remain qualified and provide assurance to our partner nations that the NSRS remains rescue ready.