Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) teams launched from a “hunter-killer” submarine for “subsurface insertion” missions, which required them to surveil rocky shores in Lyngenfjord, within the Arctic Circle, while “enemy” troops searched for them.

The SRS is drawn from a Plymouth-based division of the Royal Marines and performs reconnaissance ahead of the arrival of other units of Marines, who can deploy from skis, snowmobiles, boats, helicopters or by parachute.

Their team leader in Norway said: “Being able to move sub-surface gives us a discreet means of moving our specialist teams to any coastline in the world.

“Not only can we conduct operations in isolation, but by accessing and reconnoitring these complex coastlines by small craft we can also set the conditions for larger, more lethal follow on forces.”

His deputy added: “Working alongside the submarine was a great opportunity for us. In addition to the submarine work, we also took the opportunity to operate alongside our Norwegian colleagues.

“We used one of their larger, faster craft to access areas out of range of our small craft, an excellent example of working together to achieve a common aim.”