Esbern Snare on Submarine Exercise in the North Atlantic

By the Danish Defence Command

Fast, agile and intelligent hunters. In recent weeks, the frigate Esbern Snare has participated in the NATO exercise ‘Dynamic Mongoose’ together with a wide range of allies. The main purpose is to train anti-submarine warfare: the ability to defeat hostile submarines.

The exercise is one of the only ones of its kind and provides the nations with unique training to withstand the potential threat landscape of the future.

“Anti-submarine warfare is a specialised discipline that requires close cooperation between ships, aircraft and helicopters. Exercise Dynamic Mongoose provides an opportunity to train anti-submarine operations in the strategically crucial area of the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway, and with resources available that are quite unique,” says Ole Frandsen, who is a Commander Senior Grade and commanding officer of the frigate Esbern Snare.

The frigate Esbern Snare is given the opportunity to train anti-submarine warfare in a naval force consisting of several frigates and supported by helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft over extended periods, where the objective is to detect and defeat submarines.

Photo: NATO MARCOM

Dynamic Mongoose

The exercise ‘Dynamic Mongoose’ is named after the mongoose, which is particularly known for its speed, agility and hunting ability. Abilities that are all in line with the maritime skills required to fight at sea – both above and below the water’s surface. Submarines possess the unique capability of moving undetected through waters in order to conduct surveillance and launch attacks. Therefore, the allies are now training precisely this scenario.

Allied submarines participating in the exercise are training their ability to move around undetected, while the ships and aircraft attempt to locate them.

“The exercise is highly realistic, with submarines acting as the enemy in a realistic scenario and geographical area that places great demands on equipment, personnel and the effective execution of anti-submarine operations. During certain periods, Esbern Snare leads the force of ships and aircraft, which provides particular value for the crew. Because the exercise is so unique, specialists from the Royal Danish Navy’s other frigates also participate in order to maximise the training benefit,” says Ole Frandsen.

Anti-Submarine Warfare

It is NATO’s maritime command, ‘Allied Maritime Command’ (MARCOM), that leads the exercise with participants from several NATO nations – including Germany, the United Kingdom and Denmark, contributing everything from warships, patrol aircraft, helicopters and submarines.

The intensive training during ‘Dynamic Mongoose’ consists of several simulated tasks in which the parties train everything from search and localisation to the simulated defeat of hostile elements. The exercise lasts more than two weeks and takes place in the so-called ‘GIUK gap’, the body of water between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, which plays a central role in security in the North Atlantic.

The Royal Danish Navy’s frigates participate in Dynamic Mongoose on an annual basis, which is an important element in maintaining and strengthening the Danish Defence’s ability to combat submarines and participate in anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic.