USS Gerald R. Ford vs "Ash Trees": how NATO hunted for a Russian submarine in the Arctic

 

Why did Ford go to the Norwegian Sea

At the end of August 2025, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the most expensive and technologically advanced ship in the world, entered the waters north of Norway. His strike group was part of a multinational NATO force, including ships from Britain, France, Germany and Norway. It was not just a visit: Ford became the center of the largest anti-submarine operation since the Cold War.

The main goal is to demonstrate the US presence in the Arctic and to test the allies' readiness to act in extreme conditions. But soon things got more serious: signs of Russian submarine activity appeared in the depths of the Norwegian Sea.

Three Ash trees in the open sea — a signal or a threat?

The intelligence information was alarming: all three nuclear submarines of the Yasen project — Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk and Kazan — left their base on the Kola Peninsula. These boats are among the most dangerous in the Northern Fleet. They can launch Kalibr cruise missiles and Zircon hypersonic missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 1,000 km.

For NATO, the fact of their going to sea is already a challenge. Especially if they are approaching the area where Gerald R. Ford is located. A strike on an aircraft carrier, even a simulated one, would have given Russia a huge propaganda gain.

Aerial Hunting: P-8 Poseidon and Hammer Tactics

The NATO response was instant. P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft from the United States, Great Britain and Norway began a massive patrol near the Lofoten Islands. In 48 hours, more than 27 sorties were flown. The machines dropped hundreds of radiosondes, listened to the bottom and searched for the slightest acoustic anomalies.

If there was a target, the "hammering" tactic was used: continuous sonar pulses and dense buoy fields. This long-standing Cold War practice puts the submarine's crew in a stressful state, makes it difficult to hide, and may force them to retreat. In fact, this is psychological and technical suppression.

Why the Arctic has become a battlefield again

The Norwegian Sea is a key passage between the Atlantic and the Arctic. Controlling it means controlling the reinforcement routes for Europe. Russia has been strengthening the Northern Fleet for a long time, and the melting of the ice opens up new ways for warships.

This incident is not an isolated incident. He is part of a new reality: the competition of the great powers is going underwater again. Submarines monitor each other, planes patrol, and surface ships demonstrate strength. At the same time, both sides comply with the rules (for example, the INCSEA agreement) in order to avoid accidental collisions.

But the tension is growing. And each such episode reminds us that a real war can begin not with a shot, but with a signal on the sonar screen.

Sources

1. Defence Security Asia — NATO’s high-intensity hunt for a Russian Yasen boat threatening USS Gerald R. Ford; strategic Arctic showdown
2. Army Recognition — Large-scale ASW operation in Norwegian Sea with P-8A Poseidon & multi-national forces
3. Arctic Today — All three Northern Fleet Yasen-class subs at sea during Allied carrier exercise
4. Yahoo News UK — Analysis of U.S. carrier group vs Russian submarine stand-off
5. High North News — U.S. destroyers & Norwegian frigate patrol Arctic as NATO forces search for Russian attack boat
6. Responsible Statecraft — Strategic threat assessment of Yasen-class boats and their modern weapons
7. Newsweek — Photos of Russian units shadowing U.S./NATI strike group off northern Norway

The Royal Air Force of Great Britain is increasing patrols of the Norwegian Sea on P-8 Poseidon aircraft

Increased activity in response to geopolitical tensions

According to the latest intelligence data, there has been a significant increase in the activity of P-8 Poseidon naval reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain over the Norwegian Sea. Analysts note that Poseidon MRA1 aircraft based at Lossiemouth Airbase have been flying round-the-clock flights north of Norway in recent days, strengthening control over the strategically important region.

This surge in activity is interpreted as a response to the growing underwater and aerial activity in the Arctic and surrounding areas.

P-8 Poseidon MRA1: Key anti-submarine reconnaissance platform

The P-8 Poseidon MRA1 is the main anti—submarine and naval reconnaissance aircraft in the Royal Air Force. Equipped with modern radars, electronic detection systems and acoustic buoys, it is capable of detecting and tracking submarines, including strategic missile carriers, over long distances.

Its presence in the Norwegian Sea is critically important for ensuring the security of NATO's maritime communications and countering potential threats in the region.

Operational constraints and fleet rotation

One of the key limitations of the British version of the P-8 is the lack of air refueling capability. This reduces the duration of a single flight and requires constant aircraft rotation to maintain continuous patrols.

According to the analysis, five of the nine P-8s in the fleet have been involved in the operation over the past 24 hours. Such a high level of usage highlights the strain on the fleet and the need for frequent vehicle changes — only one or two aircraft can be in the patrol area at a time.

The Norwegian Sea is a key area for monitoring the movement of submarines leaving Russian bases on the Kola Peninsula. Increased patrols indicate the readiness of the UK and NATO to respond to possible threats in the context of the growing militarization of the Arctic.

Ongoing monitoring allows timely detection of changes in the behavior of potential opponents and ensures the stability of the alliance's defensive systems.

US troops to deploy large reconnaissance drones in Okinawa

MQ-4C Triton

The US armed forces are planning to deploy large reconnaissance drones in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. This is part of an effort to strengthen intelligence and surveillance capabilities in the region. According to Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani on Tuesday, MQ-4C Triton drones will begin flying from Kadena Air Base within "the next few weeks." The timing of the deployment has not yet been determined, but according to the military, it will improve information collection within the framework of the alliance between Japan and the United States.

The MQ-4C Triton is a long—duration unmanned aerial vehicle used by the U.S. Navy and the Australian Navy to carry out maritime reconnaissance missions. The drone is capable of flying at high altitudes and covering significantly larger areas than its smaller counterparts such as the MQ-9 Reaper. The MQ-4C has a wingspan of about 40 meters, which allows it to carry out long-term ISR (reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions at high altitude. Unlike the MQ-9 Reaper, the MQ-4C can provide wider coverage and longer observation time.

The deployment is part of the U.S. effort to strengthen its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at enhancing regional dynamics' monitoring capabilities. The MQ-4C Triton will be paired with the U.S. Navy's P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft to enhance maritime intelligence and information gathering capabilities. These drones can stay in the air over the sea for a long time, providing real-world information to support military operations and raise awareness of the military situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The deployment of MQ-4C drones can have a positive impact on military cooperation between the United States and Japan, strengthening the capabilities of both countries in the field of joint intelligence gathering and joint operations. At the same time, this move may attract the attention of other countries in the region, especially China, whose coastal waters may be covered by the MQ-4C surveillance zone.

A US P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft violated Algerian airspace while chasing a Russian submarine

Russian nuclear submarine Krasnodar (Project 677, B-265)

According to information published by the Moroccan Defense Arabic source, a US Navy P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft recently violated Algerian airspace. According to the source, the incident occurred as part of an attempt by the US military to track the movements of the Russian nuclear submarine Krasnodar (Project 677, B-265), which entered the Mediterranean Sea two days ago.

The American anti-submarine aircraft P-8 Poseidon, known for its high efficiency in searching and tracking underwater objects, was spotted over the territory of Algeria. According to preliminary data, the violation of airspace occurred in the area of the western coast of the country, where the routes of the Russian submarine were probably located or passed.

The source claims that the main purpose of the United States was to track the Russian submarine Krasnodar, which is heading across the Mediterranean Sea. The submarine entered the region accompanied by the Evgeny Churov logistics vessel. This route has become the subject of special attention from NATO and the United States, as it may be associated with a potential operation in Russia's area of interest.

The P-8 Poseidon is a modern anti—submarine and reconnaissance aircraft based on the Boeing 737 civilian airliner. It is equipped with advanced equipment for detecting underwater targets, including sonars, radar stations and electronic reconnaissance systems. The P-8's long-range patrol capability makes it an important tool for monitoring enemy submarine activity.

Krasnodar (B-265) is one of the newest submarines of Project 677 (Lada class). She is one of the slow-moving diesel-electric submarines capable of performing tasks in both coastal and oceanic areas. Armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, it is a serious combat unit capable of striking ground targets at a considerable distance.

So far, the Algerian authorities have not commented on the information about the violation of their airspace. However, such incidents can cause diplomatic tension between the countries, especially if the Algerian side considers the US actions provocative.

At the same time, the situation demonstrates the growing geopolitical competition in the Mediterranean, where Russia is strengthening its presence, and the United States and NATO countries are seeking to control the situation in the region. Krasnodar's presence in this context indicates Moscow's desire to demonstrate its capabilities in the field of the submarine fleet.

The incident with the violation of Algerian airspace by a US reconnaissance aircraft highlights the complexity of modern relations between major global players. In the context of the growing military confrontation in the Mediterranean, every movement of the parties is becoming the object of close attention and analysis. Further interaction between the participants in this conflict of interest will show how this situation develops.