The UK has exposed a covert Russian submarine operation in waters around Britain, deploying naval and air assets to monitor the activity and force the vessels to withdraw, according to the UK government.
British forces tracked multiple Russian submarines operating in the High North over a period of more than a month, maintaining continuous surveillance alongside allies including Norway. The activity involved an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine and specialist vessels linked to Russia’s deep-sea research programme, known as GUGI, according to statements from Defence Secretary John Healey.
The Ministry of Defence said the submarine’s presence appeared to act as a diversion while other units carried out activity near critical undersea infrastructure, including cables and pipelines.
In response, the UK and its partners moved to overt monitoring, making clear to the Russian vessels that they had been detected. The submarines have since left the area, with Healey stating that the attempted covert operation had been exposed.
“Our armed forces left them in no doubt that they were being monitored, that their movements were not covert as President Putin planned,” he said.
The Royal Navy deployed HMS St Albans, supported by RFA Tidespring and Merlin helicopters, while RAF P-8 maritime patrol aircraft contributed to the tracking effort. The operation included the use of sonobuoys and persistent surveillance to maintain contact with the submarine.
Healey said there is no evidence that UK infrastructure was damaged during the operation, but warned that any future attempt would trigger a strong response.
“We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines,” he said. “Any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the operation demonstrated the government’s willingness to expose Russian activity.
“We will not shy away from taking action and exposing Russia’s destabilising activity that seeks to test our resolve,” he said.
Undersea fibre optic cables carry the vast majority of global communications and financial data, making them a critical vulnerability in any potential conflict.
The government has pointed to a broader increase in Russian naval activity near UK waters in recent years. The incident also comes as the UK prepares to expand its role in NATO operations in the High North, with plans for increased deployment and surveillance activity in the region.
The UK says it remains ready to respond to any further activity, with naval and air assets on standby to monitor Russian movements.
All very interesting rhetoric I’m sure , but really just confirmation of what we already knew of Russia’s approach to destabilisation.
However, its all still just words which will not mean anything to Putin -and why should they.
Actions speak louder than words and to that end:What have Labour actually provided in the last two years to even appear to be placing Defence higher up their list of priorities.
Most importantly, when is the long awaited “Defence Review” due – so we can see what they are kicking down the road?
It seems they are now even kicking that can , the can that kicks the can down the road, down the road.
We are now – in effect- a TWO Can Nation.
If they damage infrastructure, we will hold Putin “to account”. Tough words. He will be deterred by that.
Order more P-8 whilst the line in hot perhaps?
Order a second batch of Type 31 with a sonar possibly?
Advance Protector anti sub capabilities by chance?
Purchase more Proteus type vessels?
None of the above?
Maybe a small fleet of SSKN’S to deal with this sort of activity with SBS and sub-sea drones? Heck, take a video and expose the buggers and send them a copy!
Quentin, it’s quite funny when you write this but before someone snaps at you, it’s SSK or SSN, not SSKN. Conventional or Nuclear, that’s all the N signifies. You can add in a G or a B if it’s a cruise or ballistic missile submarine (SSGN, SSBN) and I think conventional ballistic subs are usually referred to as SSBs but they are rare.
If the US/NATO alliance is about to change for the worse, more such Russian adventures will ensue. Should we be worried? Yes, I think it will be a rapidly changing situation, and the UK in particular will feel the full impact given the large expanse of sea and ocean we have to patrol. With the RN in a very weak position regarding surface ships, we could see a successful attack on critical seabed infrastructure, the results of which could be incalculable.
I think you mean
“large expanse of sea and ocean NATO has to patrol.”
Yes and no, the RN patrols on orders from the Admiralty when appropriate without the need to include NATO.
But the Admirailty coordinates patrols with NATO so that it doesn’t have to be covering the Atlantic and North Sea singlehanded.
Not sure if you’re aware but almost all the cables in the Atlantic are US not British.
Do you surmise a world where the US starts allowing the Russians to attack its under sea cables?
The vast majority of critical UK cables (inter-connectors) are located in the channel and souther North Sea and are far too shallow for the Russians to reach.
Actions have consequences. The UK hates Trump and the USA, actually always has harboured animosity toward USA regardless of Trump being President.
Good luck. Starmer says his beloved “British people” are the main priority. Keep in mind “British People” or “local man” washed up in a rubber dingy last week.
That red MAGA hat is a bit too tight, cutting off the blood to your brain mate
Folly of the labour/ tories defence policy of the last 20 years. Yet what have labour done in the last 2 years?
The defence policy can’t be that bad as they are clearly easily to track any Russian submarine threat coming past the bear gap.
Theyve done well to track but we know we’re down to 6 frigates and zero SSNs.
A month long operation to track 3x submarines is a lot for 1 frigate which as we know isn’t ubiquitous. Obviously working in tandem with P8s but 1 vessel isnt sustainable.
But it’s not just us with one frigate, Norway is there other NATO navies too.
Don’t get me wrong I want more frigates but there is nothing that can be done by the government or anyone else in the next few years to change that much.
We should not pretend though that there is a massive Russian threat and we re undefended as many on here keep rabbiting on about. T23, Merlin, Astute and P8 is an amazing ASW combo and we face very few Russian submarines able to operate in the North Atlantic.
Let’s not be blinkered into thinking we’re managing comfortably we’re not. For those of us who’ve served we know what it takes to get a Squadron or ship ready and operational. Typhoon force will be close to breaking point will multiple commitments whilst the RN won’t have a spare frigate ready for ops.
It’s not just on here that ex forces are saying the same thing.
The BBC live news feed mentions £100m for extra submarine-hunting aircraft… I’m sure it’s reannouncing old news but anyone know specifically what Healey is referring to?
Not aircraft but drones as the initial part of Atlantic bastion was what I read the £100million was.
Not much we can buy with £100M. New infrastructure at Lossiemouth? The Atlantic Building that houses and maintains the P8s cost £100M but that was supposed to manage for the entire 9-aircraft fleet. We might be able to convert a few of the Protectors to SeaGuardian standard for that, but probably only 3 or 4.
Hopefully there’s some GBAD protecting all this infrastructure and assets?! More than one Rapid Sentry at least!
Not aircraft drones but under water drones is what they are referring to and it’s an initial £100m this year to get things started, they are already placing orders mostly for sea gliders.
BBC has “an additional £100m is being invested in supporting RAF P8 submarine hunting aircraft, to protect critical underwater infrastructure”
I did see another fragment saying that it was also the initial funding for Atlantic Net, but that’s barely enough to set up a shore centre. Most likely sonobuoy replenishment tied in with other Lossie facilities.
Revenue from your taxes is being funneled to illegals for future votes to keep the left wealthy and in forever power – not defence. It’s a bribe. Follow the money.
Ha, this guy thinks I pay taxes!
100M is what, a third of a P8? Wings perhaps
I doubt the Russians would do any damage… at the moment.
More likely they were doing detailed location mapping of the infrastructure so that, in the event of conflict, unmanned underwater vehicles could be deployed (from a distance) to navigate to and destroy cables/ pipelines/ etc.
I suggest it’s more likely they are trying to see if we notice them doing this. If they want to map infrastructure (which is all on naval charts anyway) then they would use a surface vessel.
The Russians are legally entitled to sit mapping anything they like on the sea outside of the 12 mile limit.
Mapping any cables and pipelines north of the UK won’t do much. All the really useful stuff is south and west or its in the North Sea and way too shallow for the donkeys to reach.
Naval charts doesn’t provide exact locations for cables, instead they’ll generally mark a ‘cable area’ to warn against trawling, anchoring, etc.
Yes, so it’s not like they are a secret and having a very accurate picture won’t do much good.
People have been cutting underwater cables at the start of wars since under water cables began. You don’t need an exact location you just drag them up.
These “mapping” exercises by the Russians are just more donkey operations to make the donkeys feel like they are doing something useful.
“drag them up” with what?!?!
As soon as hostilities break out any Russian surface vessel and submarine in the Atlantic or North Sea is going to be too busy desperately trying to avoid being sunk.
I’m guessing you’ve not heard of this amazing new technology called unmanned underwater vehicles (aka drones). The Russians will undoubtedly launch these en masse as a preemptive action to the beginning of hostilities. These drones won’t need sophisticated technology onboard as they simply need to navigate to the exact locations previously mapped.
So it seems like we are not defenceless after all against the Russian navy.
The Russians are donkeys floating around in 40 year old SSN’s thinking they are being sneaky.
Meanwhile the RN and NATO is deploying P8, Merlin,T23 with 2086 Sonar and Astute plus anything else other NATO navies are bringing to the party.
Every time a Russian submarine comes south of the Norwegian Sea it’s front page news.
And this is a navy we are suppose to fear 😂
Perhaps they can send some more of their lates SSN’s on a jolly to Cuba agin so they can be recorded. 🤣
Same shit with China and its type 93 in the South China sea back in 2021.
These muppets are so far behind in technology and tactics that a shooting war would be embarrassing at the moment.
I think you’re wrong. We know as the general public, what the MoD is prepared to release. Perhaps there’s other stuff they don’t want us to know to avoid political fallout or panic. Perhaps there is stuff the Russians and other bad actors are doing we don’t know about – likely with our lack of assets.
Your view is naive to say the least
Yes and perhaps the boogie man is real.
Question if they want to keep things a secret why role out a massive press conference and tell us what they are doing? Why devote so much of the SDR to the issue.
How can you know what percentage we track? If you are relying on it being in the news, of course you’ll conclude “Every time a Russian submarine comes south of the Norwegian Sea it’s front page news”. Ultimately though your argument would be circular. Also MOD isn’t likely to release information like “Russian sub slips surveillance”. Or “No idea how many Russian submarines in the North Atlantic again today”.
Because they don’t have many to begin with and they are in the need a lot.
The Russian navy could easily devastate the UK with a cruise missile barrage and their would be little we could do to stop it.
Our NATO allies would most likely not intervene or simply not have the capability to intervene and we could only really rely on the US for some sort of likewise retaliation.
I agree with Julian, you are naive as hell
Please list the Russian navy cruise missiles that can reach the UK and your assessment of how many they can fire from surface and non surface ships from before the bear gap. Can you please also set out their Order of battle please for the Russian fleet that is going to carry out this devastating bombardment of the UK.
I say before the bear gap because it’s pretty obvious that Russian submarines can’t traverse the bear gap without being tailed (which the article above demonstrates)
I would be really interested in your analysis showing how I am naive as hell.
Perhaps we can refer this bombardment against the attacks on Ukraine that have been going on for four years without being devastating then you can tell me why the UK and Ukraine are different.
I won’t go into that much detail, you can do your own footwork
But I will say that the russian northern fleet has the Yasen-M class subs, Varshavyanka class subs, upgraded Oscar class subs can launch land attack cruise missiles and surface ships like the Kirov class
Now if you count the Baltic fleet it would be even worse for us
And they wouldn’t need to sneak. They could call for an exercise in the north atlantic and just sit north of scotland and then launch this attack.
With the state of our navy, we wouldn’t be able to send enough ships to watch them while they do this
Sky also did an interesting Wargame documentary not too long ago that covered such a scenario, involving military and political experts familiar with Russian capabilities also if you want to watch that
Every time a submarine is DETECTED it’s front page news. It’s naive to assume that nothing ever gets through undetected. If it ever does Russia will not shout it from the rooftops and encourage us to close any gaps.
This man talks a lot, but that it, hot air, and bluff. That is all he brings to the table. Thats it every thing we have to track one sub. How will stand up to Russia when bugger all works, every thing is awaiting spares and we limited amma, send them a sturn text?.
Healy the Defence Sec who just talks and talks, bluffs and that it, fix the problems, do some thing. Not going happen over night but 2 years in and its all just words.
“This man talks a lot, but that it, hot air, and bluff. That is all he brings to the table.”
Just looked up his Wiki… turns out he is a career politician with zero real world experience. Quelle surprise!
Labour do seem to pick very unqualified people for roles they have no idea about. He knows talk up doing nothing and promising to do something one day.
😂
If they so much as touch anything sink the bastard’s. And don’t bother wasting our money rescuing any survivors.
This type of surveillance operation is the what the P8 and E7 Squadrons will be required to carryout during a ‘period of tension’ The numberof aircraft and especially crews should inform any Fleet sizing analysis and it shouldn’t come as a suprise that what we have, and will have in the future, is barely sufficient especially the number of E7s when crew duty times , aircraft serviceablity and operating range are taken into account.
We have no E7, but I do like positive thinking. Not sure 9 P8 and 3 E7 for the entire nation and Gibraltar and Cyprus is enough.
9 P8s might be sufficient in conjunction with Norwegan and German aircraft but 3 E7s is about half of what is needed. Originally 7 E3s were bought to meet the formal UK Requirement. 3E7s was all the budget would allow . No amount of performance specification arguments would allow 3 E7s to carryout the coverage capability of 7E3s. A key factor is the number of Combat Ready (CR) crews available, clearly this is influenced by the number of aircraft on the line for day to day training to maintain CR status. Interestingly when aircraft are pushed to fly day after day its often the case that they remain remarkably serviceable.
Classic MOD saving money in the short term which limit what can be done with just e aircraft and likely mean either making do or hahibgvto buy more at a much higher cost.
Another worry with just 3 aircraft is air frame hours there is no getting around that
Jim, you refer to published cables and fuel lines; apparently, there are others and infrastructures that are not public. The government views this current Russian activity as worrying and acted appropriately.
I don’t doubt the UK should act, my point is that infrastructure north of the UK is limited. If you want to cause the kind of harm or devastating attacks to the UK the media bangs on about you can’t do it in the North. The key stuff is in the South and west.
There is no question now that the UK and Russia are in a state of sub Kinetic maritime conflict.. and make no mistake this is Russia aiming at the UK and trying to reduce its power and confidence.
Today has seen a very interesting case, the UK made it clear that it would intercept shadow fleet tankers that broke international law and no longer had protection from UNCLOS in regards to free passage across international straits.. and yet Russia sent them through anyway and with an armed warship escort.. that warship was not undertaking innocent passage as it’s right, it was there as a military threat to the UK to prevent it undertaking its legal right and responsibility to police a strait under its control.
As NATO falls apart the UK seriously needs to understand and take action against the threat to itself and that threat is Russian, maritime, naval and air action against the Uk and its interests.. we need to do four things
1) ensure we have the strategic conventional weapons to engage on an elongated war with Russia and can sustain the ability to pound Russian assests if we end up in a war.. that’s long range cruise missiles, drones, ships, planes and subs armed with cruise missiles and maybe a long range ballistic missile option.
2) ensure we can control the seas and deny them to Russia ( high north, Atlantic, North Sea, Norwegian Sea).. maritime and high end naval
3) ensure we have the military and civilian resilience to take an ongoing pounding from Russian strategic conventional weapons
4) ensure we can engage in a MAD exchange with Russia
Without this we have no effective deterrent against Russia pushing the Uk into a maritime corner and conflict.. this would be less of an issue with NATO working well.. but without NATO looking sold the UK is target number 1 as the nation to challenge and humiliate.
There is about ten shadow tankers transiting UK waters each day. Russia is not escorting any of them. This is another gimmick for TV and the UK media laps it up.
In this case Russia did it on purpose and essentially used it as geopolitical point.. the reason the western press picked it up was because Russia pointed it out and made an aggressive media brief.
Good result all round, what little we have are capable assets.
But there’s always a but, can the rhetoric be added to be additional assets, like suggested by other posters.
1 T23, 1 RFA.
Wow. And if those assets were needed elsewhere for multiple situations, then what?
The tough guy rhetoric is never backed up by hard cash paying for more hard assets.
Till it is, you’re all words, Healey and Starmer.
Sorry.