Navy’s Strategic Deployment in the Norwegian Sea
The USS Gerald R. Ford, an American aircraft carrier, recently concluded a high-profile stop in Marseille before heading to the North Sea, where it arrived on August 17 with its Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG-12), which includes the destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill, USS Mahan, and USS Bainbridge. This deployment underscores the US Navy’s commitment to enhancing peace, stability, and deterrence across Europe.
Following its arrival, CSG-12 proceeded to the Norwegian Sea to participate in a planned exercise with the Royal Norwegian Navy, which deployed the frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and the replenishment ship HNoMS Maud. A PASSEX maneuver was conducted on August 23.
🇺🇸USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group exercising with 🇳🇴Norwegian Navy units, HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and HNoMS Maud in the Norwegian Sea. (PHOTEX 23/8/25) pic.twitter.com/iI4yvbzA06
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) August 25, 2025
Increased Surveillance Activity in the Norwegian Sea
Since then, unusual activity has been reported in the Norwegian Sea, with over twenty sorties conducted by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Air Force, the Norwegian Air Force, and the US Navy. These flights were tracked using air traffic monitoring sites such as Flight Radar, originating from bases in Lossiemouth (Scotland), Evenes (Norway), and Keflavik (Iceland), where the US Navy deployed six P-8A Poseidon aircraft. At least two of these aircraft also operated from Sigonella (Sicily, Italy).
RAF P-8 activity over 24 hours.
5 aircraft been used to keep one on station over the Norwegian Sea. (We need more than 9 P-8s) pic.twitter.com/cVR0iJ5Vh3
— Britsky (@TBrit90) August 25, 2025
The P-8A Poseidon aircraft have been patrolling along the Norwegian coast and conducting low-altitude surveillance in the Lofoten Islands region. Each aircraft was rotated to ensure continuous coverage. Additionally, on August 27, a French Navy Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was spotted en route to Norway after departing from the naval air base (BAN) of Lann-Bihoué, home to Flottilles 21F and 23F.
This collaboration is not unprecedented. Last year, the Chief of Staff of the French Navy, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, noted that Atlantique 2 aircraft were frequently deployed to support British and American P-8A operations. He stated, “We monitor Russian submarine missions in the Atlantic. This is known as theater anti-submarine warfare. We do this with our American and British allies to track and assess their activity levels,” during a parliamentary hearing in October 2024. “The latest Atlantique 2, which has just been qualified, was dispatched to track a Russian submarine in the Atlantic. It performed excellently, demonstrating that our readiness is at the right level,” he emphasized at the time.
Monitoring Russian Submarine Activity
The heightened NATO activity, which is not part of an exercise related to the American aircraft carrier, is likely driven by the recent departure of three Russian attack submarines of the Yasen class from the naval base in Nerpitchia, located in the Litsa fjord, approximately 60 kilometers from the Russian-Norwegian border.
“Satellite imagery analyzed shows that as of August 25, the three multi-purpose Yasen and Yasen-M class submarines belonging to the Russian Northern Fleet are at sea,” reported the Barents Observer, specifically identifying the Severodvinsk (K-573), Kazan (K-561), and Arkhangelsk (K-564).
In addition to the maritime patrol flights, it is possible that attack submarines from NATO member countries are also involved. The HMS Anson (Astute class) of the Royal Navy departed from Faslane on August 19, just two days after the CSG 25 entered the North Sea, and the USS New Mexico (Virginia class) arrived in Scotland on August 25.
USS New Mexico (SSN 779) Virginia-class Block II attack submarine leaving Faslane, Scotland – August 25, 2025
SRC: TW-@MichaelJWC626 pic.twitter.com/yP9g1lFgu2
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) August 25, 2025
Currently, no comments have been made by the forces involved in this operation. The US Navy stated, “In the North Sea, the USS Gerald R. Ford and its carrier strike group are working alongside our ally, the Royal Norwegian Navy. Practicing our interoperability in the Arctic environment ensures a safe and stable region by defending against malign influences in critical waterways,” following the PASSEX on August 23.