Special Maritime Operations = UK Commando Force This morning, Commandos from 42 conducted a maritime interdiction operation on the vessel CMR Smyrtos, sailing under a false Cameroonian flag. Just another night's work for the UKCF's Special Maritime Operations specialist unit.

In the early hours of this morning, I directed our Armed Forces to intercept a shadow fleet oil tanker attempting to pass through the English Channel. This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin's war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide. I want to thank those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Forged Under Pressure. 🔱 Fortified at Sea! 🌊 From joint patrols and fleet formations 🚢 to response drills and amphibious operations 🚣, Allied naval forces operate as one in demanding environments! Arctic Sentry tests coordination, resilience, and readiness - strengthening the Alliance’s capabilities in northern waters and maritime security. ⚓ #ArcticSentry Continues!🛡️ Stay Tuned For More! #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether @SHAPE_NATO|@NATO|@Swedish_Navy|@Forsvarsmakten|@DefenceHQ|@forsvaretdk|@NATO_MARCOM| @RoyalNavy|@RoyalMarines |@RoyalCanNavy|

The ✨ largest NATO Special Operations Forces exercise in Europe ✨ comes to an end. #TrojanFootprint26 brought together 3,000 SOF personnel from 2️⃣4️⃣ NATO Allies and partners for 10 days of intensive training across complex, multi-domain environments in Europe. 🔥 From reconnaissance and sensitive-site operations to direct action, TFP26 strengthened interoperability, operational cohesion and collective readiness among participating nations. ➡️ This is how SOF from different nations build the ability to seamlessly defend every inch of the Alliance. For more details, read the article linked below 👇 📸 @US_SOCEUR & @MApNRomania @RoyalMarines | @UKNATO | @hndgspio | @GreeceNATO| @MKmissionNATO | @RomaniaNATO | @USNATO

🛳️ @HMS_Spey has just exercised navigation rights and freedoms around the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in accordance with UNCLOS. ➡️The UK is committed to international law and to upholding a free, open and stable South China Sea.

We are putting words into action. A Hybrid Navy. Northern allies. Real deterrence in the High North and North Atlantic in support of @NATO. Last week all @JEFnations signed a statement of intent committing each nation to working up detailed proposals.

Commandos in the cockpit. This is the Hybrid Force in action: elite tactics meeting disruptive tech to multiply mass and lethality without putting more boots in harm's way. ​The Royal Marines are redefining the frontline. During a 72-hour trial off the coast of Scotland.

30 Cdo IX hosted RAdm Rachel Singleton MBE, Director Navy Digital, discussing the joint work of our excellent people delivering Warfighting Readiness (in the High North) ❄️ ⚓ 📡 #DigitalWarfighting #InformationWarfare #MachinesDataHumans #RNWarfightPlan

Always pushing the limits... #RoyalMarines from the @Commando_Ops have completed a bold and ambitious patrol in the High North – pushing the limits of what is possible in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Read more: royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/m…

Sub-Zero Raiders 🇬🇧 Royal Marines emerge from the icy depths of an Arctic fjord after deploying from a 🇩🇪 German submarine. The commandos carried out a daring raid as part of Exercise Cold Response 26, which involves 14 nations and more than 25,000 troops

Cold water. Hard miles. Total precision. UKCF operations aren't just about the strike; they’re about the silent approach in the world’s harshest environments. Integrating with submarine platforms allows for unparalleled stealth and reach in the High North.

Sub zero raiding in the Arctic... 🇬🇧🗡️ Specialist #RoyalMarines emerged from the icy depths of an Arctic fjord on a @deutschemarine submarine to carry out a daring commando operation as part of major #NATO mission rehearsals. #ColdResponse26 Read more: royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/m…

Emerging from the icy cold depths… straight into responsive action. 🌊 During Exercise Cold Response, @RoyalMarines launched from a 🇩🇪 U-35 submarine deep inside the Arctic Circle to conduct a stealth reconnaissance mission. Operating unseen along the coast of Norway 🇳🇴, they identified simulated enemy positions and guided allied naval firepower. Cold Response is part of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity Arctic Sentry, this training helps ensure NATO forces are ready to defend the Alliance’s northern flank. 🛡️ #WeAreNATO #ArcticSentry #StrongerTogether @DefenceOps | @RoyalNavy | @Commando_Ops | @DefenceHQ | @GenGJenkinsRM | @smrmoorhouse | @NATO_SOF | @RoyalMarines | @UKNATO | @Forsvaret_no | @bundeswehrInfo | @SHAPE_NATO | @NATO | @NATO_MARCOM

The standard is non-negotiable. ​Ex Hyperion Storm is the final gate. No more rehearsals, only results. ​Our explainer video follows 42 Commando as they push the Special Operations Maritime Task Group (SOMTG) to the absolute limit. This is the tip of the spear.

Big week at the Camp Viking as we welcomed @JohnHealey_MP. 🇺🇸🇳🇴 He witnessed the precision of 29 Cdo during live-fire drills and announced a major commitment: we’re doubling our commando presence over the next 2 years. #shouldertoshoulder #Norway #StrongerTogether

The tip of the spear is sharp. Ex Hyperion Storm: The final validation for the UK-led NATO Allied Reaction Force. 🇬🇧 850 performance measures. Elite precision. Total readiness. Full mission profile drops next week. #ExHyperionStorm #Commando #NATO #SpecMiOps

🛡️ JOINT. READY. CREDIBLE. Ex HYPERION STORM brings UK Special Operations together in a Joint Operation to validate forces for the Allied Reaction Force. Readiness validated under @NATO across: 🤝 Military Assistance 🛜 Special Reconnaissance 💥 Direct Action #StrongerTogether

Reservist training complete✅ Defence engagement complete✅ Relationship as strong as ever✅ Go Norway👍 Go UK👍 Stronger together 🫡 Thank you Norway and all the @UKinNorway @NorwayinUK staff for organising the political part of the visit. It often goes overlooked but lots of people worked very hard to make everything come together…well done and stay legendary.