The Royal Navy has tracked two Russian vessels in UK waters during a three-day operation that formed part of wider NATO monitoring efforts in the North Atlantic.
Frigate HMS Iron Duke, supported by a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, shadowed the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy and cargo ship Sparta IV as they transited the North Sea and English Channel between 20 and 23 September.
The Ministry of Defence said the tasking contributed to the government’s Plan for Change, which emphasises the role of maritime security in protecting the economy and critical national infrastructure.
“Russian warships are increasingly transiting through the English Channel. The Royal Navy protects the UK 24/7 to monitor Russian movements, ensuring the security of our waters and undersea cables,” said Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry. “Alongside our commitment to NATO’s Eastern Sentry, this is a clear demonstration of how the UK stands firm with our NATO allies to deter Russian aggression.”
During the operation, HMS Iron Duke employed sensors and radars to track Neustrashimy as it escorted Sparta IV. Near Ushant, a NATO ally assumed monitoring duties for the cargo ship as it continued towards the Mediterranean, while Iron Duke maintained surveillance on the frigate as it returned towards the Baltic.
Commander David Armstrong, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, highlighted the wider importance of the mission: “This type of tasking goes largely unseen, and as a ship’s company we are extremely proud of our direct contribution to the UK’s national interests; more specifically to the security of our energy, data, food and trade and to the country’s Critical National Infrastructure.”
He added that safeguarding UK seas remained a core naval duty: “It is important as an island nation to steadfastly safeguard the security of our seas – the Royal Navy is focused and fully committed to the extremely busy military aspects of the broader maritime security mission.”
The mission marked the 18th time HMS Iron Duke has been activated for such duties in the past 12 months, monitoring a total of 25 Russian vessels. The Wildcat helicopter joined the operation from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, gathering intelligence from the air to support Iron Duke’s tracking of both ships.
The Royal Navy said the operation demonstrated the seamless cooperation of naval assets from four NATO nations, underscoring the Alliance’s focus on deterring Russian activity at sea.
As Russia have been kicked out of Syria and the Dardanelles is closed to them. Where exactly are the Russians transiting from, unless its Cuba and Venezuela?
Refuelling on Cyprus en route to new base in Sudan?
Iron Duke should be fitted with NSM? Whatever happened to the ‘at pace’ intent.
No mention of the fact the RN is down to just 7 active frigates now. Utter national crises and yet no one is even mentioning it. The mainstream press are clueless just like the rest of the general public.
As a return favour to our lovely Russian pals we should send ships up and over the top of Norway and into the arctic seas off Russia’s Northern coastline and see how they like it. Stop on the way of course to tamper with their offshore infrastructure.
Where’s a sea mine (or, for that matter, a Sea Eagle) when you need one? 😇