A 2,017-ton German submarine emerged off the northern tip of Scotland during a recent military exercise, giving British commandos a departure point to reach shore by inflatable boat, climb the coastline, and direct the guns of a 401-foot Portuguese frigate at targets inland. The drill illustrated how allied forces plan and execute covert landings from submarines in contested coastal terrain.

The exercise brought together multiple allied nations, combining submarine operations with overland commando movements in a live exercise environment. Scenarios like this are growing in number as NATO focuses on amphibious and covert capabilities.

Separately, the Australian Naval Institute flagged risks about vulnerable procurement networks underpinning nuclear submarine programs, a warning that brings added scrutiny to long-term procurement planning for Australia's future submarine fleet. Analysts say reliable sourcing will be a deciding factor as Australia works toward standing up its submarine capability.