British frigates HMS Lancaster and Westminster and tanker RFA Tiderace led warships from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia into the Baltic Sea.
The Ministry of Defence say here that British vessels have joined forces with regional allies for “a concerted demonstration of Britain’s commitment to the security and stability of the region”.
According to the news release linked to above:
“It is the first operation of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force – a partnership of nine northern European nations committed to working together on operations as varied as warfighting through to humanitarian assistance and defence engagement.
In this instance, the expeditionary force is focusing on maritime security in the southern Baltic Sea. The Royal Navy ships have been joined by Estonian minehunter Wambola, Latvian patrol vessel Jelgava, and from Lithuania minehunter Jotvingis and patrol ship Selis.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:
“Some of the UK’s closest and most steadfast Allies are found in the Baltics. This deployment is both the latest example of a long and proud history of defence cooperation and a clear demonstration of the capability of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).
As the first maritime patrol of made up of exclusively JEF nations, we are ensuring our ships and people are ready to operate in challenging conditions alongside our Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian allies.”
Commander Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of HMS Lancaster:
“It is a real privilege to command the first task group of this type and I have been impressed by the capabilities on display from our partner nations. My ship’s company are continuing to deliver success on operations against the hugely challenging backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic.”
The Ministry of Defence add that the British ships “underwent a week of full-throttle individual and combined training in the North Sea” on their way to join their Baltic allies.
That’s 1/4 of the active frigate force deployed. Not having a go, good luck to the lads and lasses.
Got to get more frigates into the fleet though…
Absolutely. The available fleet numbers are ridiculously low.
You and Rob are spot on and for Mr pollos chicken did you know the RN have got America cost guard Engineers on loan to keep the Ships going.
Where are you sourcing this info ? Are you saying the other 5 frigates are currently inactive as in they have no crews and are not in a seaworthy state or is it just a case of they happen to be in port and the crews are off doing something else for a bit? I’d imagine it costs a few quid every time you sail out of port so if the latter is the case I wouldn’t be overly concerned.
?????????
Four T23s are still in refit, 1 finished refit beening recrewed(Portland).
Not sure if stock photos but if not it’s kinda odd with so few frigates active that they couldn’t spare a hyphoon launcher
A What ?
Harpoon?
Yeah, typo.
One more T23 Portland is active again and back at sea.
Another T23, Somerset is due active again, later in the summer.
Did the other participants in the JEF not get the memo?
It’s sad to notice that my native Finland, also a JEF partner, did not contribute to this exercise. Why not, I do not know.
There is alot of activity in the Baltic at the moment when you stitch it all together…
Morning All,
There are some great photos over on Navy Lookout of this deployment showing vessels from all the navies taking part.
Cheers CR
Makes me laugh it was only a matter of a few short years ago that the Baltic States where full of degenerates and sub humans. Now they are long lost bosom buddies must be oil in the Air. What a bunch of soft c—ks.