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, 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.
