The NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) has demonstrated it can be flown wherever it is needed in the world by Britain’s Royal Air Force.
The NSRS comprises both a remote-controlled vehicle (ROV) and the crewed “Nemo” submarine rescue vehicle (SRV). It is permanently staffed and ready to deploy worldwide when called upon.
Exercise Flying Fish practised NSRS mobilisation via road and air, moving the NSRS from its home near Glasgow to RAF Brize Norton in England’s home counties.
A police escort was provided for the convoy, with every force between Glasgow and the Oxfordshire air base providing a constant blue-light presence.
Once at RAF Brize Norton, the SRV mini-submarine was loaded on a simulator with the exact dimensions and deck arrangement of a C-17A Globemaster aircraft.
Alongside this, some of the heaviest support equipment was also loaded onto a similar simulator for the A400M Atlas military transport aircraft.
The full NSRS capability runs to about 350 tonnes of equipment: its transport requires 27 lorries and several aircraft to mobilise.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard commented: “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 U.K. 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.”
And NSRS Operating Duty Holder, Royal Navy Captain Mike Lyons, added: “Rescue of the crew from a stricken submarine will require numerous agencies to operate efficiently as one team, and this loading exercise onto 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 NSRS is operated by the Submarine Delivery Agency, but is jointly resourced and comprises divers and medics from the U.K., French, and Norwegian navies, as well as medics and contractors from JFD. It is capable of rescuing submariners from malfunctioning boats at depths in excess of 600 metres.
In November 2025 Royal Navy experts linked up with their counterparts from Norway and France to test the NSRS on a two-week exercise staged on a Scottish loch.
- You can read more details on the U.K. Government website
