Nato has launched the anti-submarine warfare exercise (ASW), Dynamic Mongoose 2016, in Norway, with the support of allied nations.

The exercise, which will be conducted over a period of ten days in the Norwegian Sea in an area measuring 14,000nm2, will focus on detecting and defending against submarines.

Speaking to sailors participating in the exercise, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "We know that 70% of the surface of the earth is covered by sea, oceans, and 90% of world trade is carried by sea and 50% of oil cargo is carried by ships at the sea.

"The exercise will see the participation of 3,000 sailors and aircrew from eight allies."

"So navy capabilities, navies, are more and more important and therefore Nato has to be able to operate on the sea, over the sea and also under the sea.

"And that makes submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare just more and more relevant for the alliance."

The exercise will see the participation of 3,000 sailors and aircrew from eight allies, namely Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US.

Four submarines from Canada, Germany, Norway and the US, along with nine surface ships and four maritime patrol aircraft will also take part in the exercise.

During the exercise, the submarines will have to travel from one location to another while surface vessels try to track them down and simulate an attack.

The surface units will also have to transit between two transit points while under the threat of submarines.

Image: Nato Secretary General visits Norway during Dynamic Mongoose exercise. Photo: courtesy of Nato.