The NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) took part in an exercise to show it can be flown by the Royal Air Force to anywhere in the world, according to a UK government news story published on 1 September 2026. The system, jointly owned by France, Norway and the UK, is designed to evacuate submariners from a submarine disabled on the seabed at depths down to 610 metres.

The report said the exercise involved moving 350 tonnes of equipment by road to RAF Brize Norton, with a police escort practised using every police force between Glasgow and Brize Norton. The Submarine Rescue Vehicle was loaded onto a simulator matching a C-17A Globemaster, and heavy support equipment onto a simulator for the A400M Atlas. The report described this as the first use of the A400M Atlas for NSRS transport.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the ability to mobilise the system at short notice was reassuring for the UK and its allies. Captain Lyons RN, Operating Duty Holder for the NSRS, said the aircraft loading exercise was a vital part of maintaining training and currency for RAF colleagues.