A 2,017-ton German submarine emerged off the northern tip of Scotland during a recent military exercise, giving British commandos a departure point to reach shore by inflatable boat, ascend rocky cliff faces, and direct the guns of a 401-foot Portuguese frigate at targets inland. The drill demonstrated how allied forces plan and execute covert landings from submarines in difficult shoreline environments.

The exercise brought together a mix of allied military units, combining submarine operations with overland commando movements in a live exercise environment. Scenarios like this are becoming more frequent as NATO focuses on submarine-launched landing operations.

Separately, the Australian Naval Institute highlighted problems about unstable logistics pipelines underpinning nuclear submarine programs, a warning that brings added scrutiny to long-term procurement planning for Australia's future submarine fleet. Analysts say consistent supplier availability will be a deciding factor as Australia works toward fielding nuclear-powered submarines.