A 2,017-ton German submarine appeared off the northern tip of Scotland during a recent military exercise, giving British commandos a launch point to reach shore by inflatable boat, scale cliffs, and direct the guns of a 401-foot Portuguese frigate at targets inland. The drill demonstrated how allied forces carry out covert landings from submarines in contested coastal terrain.

The exercise brought together a mix of allied military units, combining submarine operations with direct cliff assaults in a high-pressure drill setting. Scenarios like this are becoming more frequent as NATO focuses on submarine-launched landing operations.

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 standing up its submarine capability.