NATO is ramping up its Arctic presence to counter a growing Russian military threat, and at the center of that effort is the HMS Prince of Wales, the UK Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier. Deployed on a three-month mission to the high north, the carrier is patrolling one of the world's most contested waterways, where Russian submarines, spy ships, and hybrid warfare operations are increasing at an alarming rate. Officials say the threat level hasn't been this high since the Cold War — and they're not staying quiet about it.

What Is NATO Doing to Counter Russia in the Arctic?

NATO's answer to the growing Russian presence in the Arctic is a visible, coordinated show of force. The HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group is operating in the high north on a 3-month deployment specifically designed to deter further escalation. UK officials are openly calling out Russian activity, describing nefarious submarine operations targeting underwater infrastructure and attempts to catch NATO allies off guard while global attention is focused on the Middle East.

The carrier strike group operates around the clock, with commanders able to change direction, push further north, or swing west at a moment's notice. The mission isn't just about detection — it's about demonstrating that NATO can operate freely in these waters, anytime, without interference. As the strike group's commander put it, the goal is to remain in the region as long as hostile activity continues, whether that's seabed interference, threats to critical infrastructure, or submarine maneuvers beneath the ice.

Why Is Russia Targeting Undersea Cables and Infrastructure?

Undersea cables carry the vast majority of the world's internet traffic and financial data. Cutting them is a form of hybrid warfare — damaging, disruptive, and hard to attribute. In 2024 alone, cables in the Baltic Sea were severed multiple times, with one incident linked to a Russian tanker and another to a Chinese cargo ship that dragged their anchors across the seabed.

The threat extends further. A Russian spy ship passed through British waters and was observed floating directly over undersea cables and pipelines — a move UK defense officials described as deeply provocative. Russia denied any wrongdoing through its embassy in London. These incidents are part of a broader pattern: since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has waged a parallel hybrid war involving cyberattacks, arson, and drone incursions over airports and military installations across Europe.

Intelligence estimates suggest Russian activity in the North Atlantic and high north has increased by roughly 30% over the last several years, encompassing submarines, surface vessels, and what analysts call the "shadow fleet" — commercial ships suspected of operating on Moscow's behalf.

Why Is the Arctic So Strategically Important for Russia and NATO?

The Arctic is not just remote wilderness — it's a geopolitical flashpoint. Russia maintains a powerful fleet of nuclear-powered submarines based in the region and has been steadily expanding its military infrastructure across the Arctic circle. Control of the high north means influence over vital shipping lanes, access to vast natural resources, and — critically — the ability to project submarine power into the North Atlantic.

For NATO, losing situational awareness in the Arctic would be catastrophic. The waterway provides Russia's submarines with a direct route toward Europe and North America. That's why the alliance is racing to reestablish the kind of presence it had during the Cold War, when the threat was equally stark but the capabilities were far greater.

How Do F-35 Jets Operate From an Aircraft Carrier?

Watching F-35 jets operate from the HMS Prince of Wales is unlike anything you'd see on a conventional airfield. The jets launch using a ski jump ramp at the bow of the ship — a steep upward curve that flings the aircraft skyward without the need for a catapult system. When they return, the F-35s hover above the deck like enormous mechanical insects before dropping vertically onto the landing zone, a maneuver that requires extraordinary precision.

At 30,000 feet, these aircraft can scan hundreds of miles of airspace for threats — far earlier than ground-based radars or sensors on other ships. That extended detection range is a critical advantage in the Arctic, where early warning can mean the difference between interception and incident. In early July, F-35s from the Prince of Wales intercepted a Russian military aircraft that repeatedly approached the carrier and dropped sonar devices into the water nearby. Attempts to contact the aircraft were unsuccessful, and it was eventually escorted away by the jets.

How Powerful Is the HMS Prince of Wales Aircraft Carrier?

The HMS Prince of Wales is one of the largest and most sophisticated warships ever built by Britain. It spans the equivalent of three soccer pitches and contains nine lower decks connected by a maze of tunnel-like corridors. More than 1,000 personnel are on board at any given time, including doctors, chefs, and a chaplain who serves both spiritual and morale functions during extended deployments far from shore.

The carrier houses a fifth-generation air wing of F-35 jets and is supported by helicopters and frigates that use sonar to hunt submarines and detect underwater drones. A dedicated control room monitors civilian and military air traffic continuously, allowing operators to distinguish between commercial flights and potential adversaries based on flight path deviations and international network connections. The ship's commander emphasized that very few nations on Earth can field this level of integrated maritime capability — and the United Kingdom is one of them.

Is the UK Military Strong Enough to Defend Against Russia?

This is the uncomfortable question hanging over the entire deployment. Critics have pointed out a stark decline in British naval power since the Cold War. In the 1990s, the Royal Navy had three aircraft carriers, more than 50 escort ships, and over a dozen submarines. Today, it operates two carriers, just 13 escort ships — only five of which are operational at any one time — and 10 submarines. Both carriers have also faced well-publicized technical problems.

UK officials push back on the criticism by highlighting new frigates currently being constructed at government shipyards in Scotland and a growing investment in uncrewed systems and hybrid technologies. The argument is that modern capability matters more than raw numbers — but defense analysts remain skeptical that the current fleet is sufficient to sustain long-term Arctic operations while managing commitments elsewhere in the world.

How Is Trump's Greenland Threat Affecting NATO Unity?

There's a significant elephant in the room for NATO's Arctic mission: the United States, under President Trump, has repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland — a territory belonging to Denmark, a fellow NATO ally. Trump has described Greenland as essential for American and European security, calling for immediate negotiations on its acquisition.

The contradiction is striking. NATO is conducting Arctic operations explicitly aimed at deterring Russian aggression, yet one of its most powerful members is simultaneously making territorial threats against another ally's autonomous territory. When asked directly whether these threats had damaged military relations within the alliance, the HMS Prince of Wales's commander was measured, stating that operational relationships with the US have never been stronger and that joint training exercises are continuing as planned.

Whether that diplomatic answer reflects the full reality inside NATO's corridors remains an open question — one that will likely grow louder as Arctic tensions continue to rise and the alliance is forced to balance its unity against increasingly complex geopolitical pressures from all sides.