A 2,017-ton German submarine emerged off the northern tip of Scotland during a recent military exercise, giving British commandos a launch 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 illustrated how allied forces coordinate covert landings from submarines in difficult shoreline environments.

The exercise brought together several NATO partners, combining submarine operations with direct cliff assaults in a realistic training scenario. Scenarios like this are increasingly common as NATO focuses on amphibious and covert capabilities.

Separately, the Australian Naval Institute highlighted problems about vulnerable procurement networks underpinning nuclear submarine programs, a warning that adds pressure to long-term procurement planning for Australia's future submarine fleet. Analysts say supply chain resilience will be essential as Australia works toward building out its undersea fleet.