Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - June 26, 2024 - The Portuguese Navy's NRP Arpão (S-161) has made a rare trip under the Arctic ice, demonstrating the importance of the Arctic theatre for NATO's submarine force.

Nuclear-powered boats are typically used in this dangerous area, but the Portuguese deployment demonstrates that conventionally driven submarines can also be useful.

The Arpão, part of the Tridente class, was sent on Operation Brilliant Shield for 70 days to protect and deter threats in the Euro-Atlantic region.

The operation aimed to patrol the Baltic Sea and protect energy facilities.

Both Russian and NATO submarines are increasingly operating in the Arctic, with the US Navy increasing its submarine operations in and around the Arctic.

Nuclear-powered submarines will continue to be the mainstay of underwater warfare below the ice, but boats with other engines may also be used. As tensions between Russia and NATO rise, competition for Arctic untapped natural resources and climate change create new business opportunities.