NATO prepares to counter Russian nuclear submarines without US participation

For the first time since the annual exercise began decades ago, no American ship or aircraft joined NATO forces searching for Russian submarines around Iceland. German surveillance aircraft, Canadian warships and Belgian fighter jets instead operated under a French commander in an exercise intended to show both allies and Moscow that Europe can defend the continent without direct US participation.

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For NATO and for Russia, this really is a dividing line.

The exercise, known as Northern Viking, had been led by the United States for decades. American involvement has not disappeared entirely. US Navy construction teams are building new facilities in the military area of Keflavik airport and helped with planning. But the other NATO members now occupy a far more visible role, a shift that the article presents as evidence of Washington’s growing distance from the alliance.

Iceland lies along a preferred route for Russia’s quiet nuclear submarines, which can carry nuclear weapons. NATO calls the frozen waters between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom the GIUK gap. Russian submarines use the passage to leave bases on the Kola Peninsula and enter the Atlantic. A senior NATO official, speaking anonymously about operational matters, said, “For NATO and for Russia, this really is a dividing line.” The official added, “For the Russians, if they manage to control access to this corridor and get their submarines beyond it, they effectively gain free control of the Atlantic and can threaten bases on both sides of the ocean.”

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For the Russians, if they manage to control access to this corridor and get their submarines beyond it, they effectively gain free control of the Atlantic and can threaten bases on both sides of the ocean.

The Arctic region has drawn greater attention since Donald Trump threatened last year to buy or forcibly take Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory and a trusted NATO ally. Visits by Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr., along with contradictory presidential social media messages suggesting that the US military could simply seize the island, alarmed NATO leaders. They began seriously discussing how to defend the territory even against a long-standing alliance member. Concerns increased after US threats to withdraw troops from Europe.

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We see Europe and Canada becoming increasingly involved, and we see it right here in Iceland.

Iceland’s defense chief, Jónas Allansson, said, “We see Europe and Canada becoming increasingly involved, and we see it right here in Iceland.” NATO spokesman Commander Timothy Pietrack defended the exercise as proof that the alliance can protect its territory. Meanwhile, the article links the reduced US role to a worsening Russian threat, including Germany’s public accusation that Moscow placed an explosive-laden drone on the runway at Leipzig airport. The Pentagon and White House did not respond to requests for comment.

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These exercises form the foundation of a constant presence in the North Atlantic. They prove that NATO is ready to defend every inch of allied territory and act wherever the alliance’s security requires it.