Frigates HMS Kent, HMS Argyll and HMS Northumberland plus survey ship HMS Echo and patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn monitored Russian naval activity across 100’s of miles.
The Royal Navy tweeted that – from Denmark to the Channel and Irish Sea – they shadowed Russian warships and auxiliaries, supported by Danish, US and French allies at sea and in the skies, while the RFA sustained the Royal Navy with food and supplies.
Frequently in stormy conditions – from Denmark to the Channel and Irish Sea – they shadowed Russian warships and auxiliaries, supported by our Danish, US and French allies at sea and in the skies, while the @RFAHeadquarters sustained the Royal Navy with food and supplies. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/pyyeCWkfsR
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) February 16, 2022
“At the height of the operation HMS Kent and her 157 crew passed through the Dover Strait four times in a week never letting the Russian task groups out of her sight, before handing over monitoring duties to our allies.”
Incredible really.
I thought the Cold War was gone forever. A chapter in the history book.
Historically we’ve always had periods of relative peace- but they never lasted forever. Generally they last long enough for the collective memory to fade of how badly the last conflict went.
So very true, sadly.
Putin has a delusion he is persecuted. He is emblematic of Russian isolationalism. Ukraine is a kill or cure moment. Russia needs and really wants to become a European country.
Internally you have created a dictatorship akin to the Nazis with almost absolute power and control and only fear those around you. Externally you are becoming sidelined by a world where 2 economic superpowers dominate and the new one taking on your former role has ten times larger an economy and historically despises you. Your own economy is struggling and stagnant partly due to sanctions from those you yourself despise and deem to be humiliating you. And into the mix your not getting any younger heath concerns have been reported, you want to leave a lasting legacy and are desperate… Read more »
Spy, I think you might have missed your vocation. You could be a prophet…😉
Well said! Putin is the greatest ambassador for NATO expansion. I firmly believe that if Putin were not in power for the last 20 years, NATO would have been close to crumbling now.
Spot on and brilliant analysis of Putin’s psychology- the only thing I would add is that it makes him a very dangerous man who could do something very stupid if he felt it cemented his or his country’s status?
I recently had a conversation with some Russian people while on vacation in the Caribbean. I am from USA. Their comments were essentially that Putin is old school and that the people in power need to be younger and have a different position on these international issues. One of them even said politicians should retire by 60 to let newer ideas and views are put forth. these guys were about 30 years old. I got the impression that none of them wanted to go to war.
Out of curiosity, “Russia needs and wants to become European country”. What do you base that view on?
The people. Did a business trip ( software training) to Moscow for a week before I retired. Tried for months to persuade the attendees to meet half way in Frankfurt but they kept saying they couldn’t get out. Eventually I gave in and went to Moscow. Went on a tourist visa, apparently it was easier. Go on really well with the guys. They are just normal people. Russian colleagues looked after me, saw the sights. Impressive city on the imperial scale. The women are beautiful; high cheek bones; walk around as if they own the place. Was told later that… Read more »
I’ve been there too: gave a lecture in the Mendeleev Lecture Theatre at St Petersburg University. Big honour apparently. All before things started to freeze up again. Most of the people are quite nice: as pretty much everywhere. A lot of poverty once you scratch the surface. And terrible inequality. Yes, we have super rich in London but not in the aggressive way they do in Russia where it is a game of two halves. Had a nice time: ate nice food drank nice wine and was treated as an honoured guest. That said my Russian contacts tell me that… Read more »
Indeed the UK can give lessons in CCTV and control-freakery 😂
Brexit anyone….
Yes but no matter how much we go on about being freedom loving free spirts we are culturally a bit confused. This is the nation that has shuffled off more leaders than anyone else ( let’s be honest we’ve been doing revolution and civil strife hundreds of years before everyone else cottoned on) and did Brexit as a sort of FU to the establishment. But when faced with a poorly managed or ill defined queue completely fall apart in some form of panic ( come on you know you have). We love to be controlled until we decide it’s taking… Read more »
Very deep there Jonathan. Try Romans 7:19-20
19 For the good which I will, I do not; but the evil which I will not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that which I will not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me
Are you not confusing the people with the leadership. I found the Russian people friendly & generally brilliant. The leadership however only stay in power through fear and bluff and consequently become a little paranoid. .
Certainly, if you don’t have a democracy the challenge is how to get the leadership to do what the people need. Even in the UK and US the electorate is can be manipulated by skilful media ‘demand management’.
We are not prepared to yield on the principle of Ukraine sovereignty so we need to offer Putin another alternative. Maybe he can be tempted by something like a hi-speed railway from Moscow to Berlin; something to symbolically link Russia to Europe. We need to end Russian isolationism.
Paul.P wrote: “Putin is no different to anyone else, just looking for love but hasn’t worked out that you need to be nice to people.” Spy’s analysis above is excellent as usual, but this comment is just so succinct it takes the cake.
Well Ron, the question is who benefitting from Putin’s bruised ego? The silence from the Moscow Patriarch is deafening.
I remember when I was on excersise in 1990 we were still training as if the cold War had never gone away. A question was asked of one of the die staff an RAF regiment officer. ‘Why are we still running around with respirators and noddy suits, we won the cold War?’
The reply ‘If you believe the Russians have gone away then you are a fool.’
I remember a similar thing being said in saltau on a nice wet exercise..
Still lots of fools around.😥
The Cold War went a bit tepid for a while but not for that long.
Anyway The Tepid War hasn’t got the same ring to it…
Without the Russian ‘Bogeyman’ NATO has no reason to exist…hence the continued brainwashing. The Russians at one stage soon after the Cold War thawing apparently made a joke about applying to be admitted to NATO…to the horror of high ranking US officials who weren’t sure whether or not they might be serious.
If European politicians encouraged by their populations genuinely wanted to embrace Russia and achieve a far more peaceful continent…they could…problem is the Americans…they won’t allow it…their economy needs perpetual war and conflict.
Mmmmh, Kayaker …… I think you’re on the wrong track, here! Is this the same peace-loving Russian leadership that poisons political opponents at home and abroad? Is this the same Russia that has called for the end of Western liberalism? Or the same Russian state that attacked a UK town with a nerve agent? NATO exists for common security; perhaps you should ask the Poles, Czechs, Baltic states etc why they are still so keen on membership – they certainly see Russia as more than a made-up “bogeyman”. A Polish politician even recently compared historic Russian behaviour to that of… Read more »
The US offered Russia a path to NATO membership twice, in 1997 and 2002. They never even entertained it.
Sadly. we tend to think our recent history will last. It never does, but cuts in defense take a decade or more to undo.
Saw the last episode of Warship the other night. Incredible how brazen the Russians are near our territorial waters. If we’d camped 18 miles off Murmansk they’d throw a complete hissy fit.
The lass/lad who took the sunrise/sunset photograph needs some recognition, that’s a bloody good picture
Agreed.
If you are doing this kind of escorting you usually have a Navy Phot onboard to do INT photos… When not taking pictures of Russian ships, radars and aerials they will be busy getting a portfolio ready for the Perigrine Trophy!
And why not?
Good to document things and good to have fun.
Nice pic.
If it wasn’t, the Ships Phot/Intel rating then Facebook got first Dabs Gunbuster
Agree, it’s a cracker. I wonder if it had some kind of colour filter on the lens to accentuate the red hue?
Ha! My first thought as I checked in on the site just now.
According to NATO such close monitoring will become the norm only in greater numbers. This will stretch our RN beyond current short/medium-term planning. Every hull may be necessary to counter what could be called Russian navy swarms. Imagine, if the RN was outnumbered in its own waters?
Hence why Rivers / T31 / T32 are useful for this kind of mundane show flag stuff.
The single, simple reason that we need ASM on fast jets.
Are the Typhoons unable to operate Harpoons?
Hi Steve R, not that I’m currently aware of. As I’ve posted endless times on here and almost five years ago now! “A few months after having test-fired a JSM from a US Air Force 416th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) F-16C Fighting Falcon, Kongsberg now eyes integration on the Typhoon fighter aircraft. This weapon can be carried on multiple hardpoints on Typhoon, providing complete Role-Fit flexibility, explained BAE Systems.” https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/defense-security-exhibitions-news/air-show-2017/lima-2017-bis/lima-2017-news-coverage-report-bis/3367-kongsberg-s-jsm-missile-to-be-added-to-eurofighter-typhoon-weapons-package.html “The RAF’s Typhoon is theoretically capable of carrying most currently available and future anti-shipping missiles but there are no firm plans for integration at this time.” https://www.navylookout.com/the-puzzling-absence-of-uk-fixed-wing-maritime-strike-capability/ In short, It’s… Read more »
I thought the Spanish Typhoons could carry Harpoon or did that never happen?
It has been wind tunnel tested but as far as I’m personally aware nothing else has taken place.
Others might no more?
BAE checks Harpoon fit for anti-ship TyphoonBy Craig Hoyle11 April 2013
“BAE Systems has conducted first wind tunnel tests to assess the suitability of integrating Boeing’s AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
BAE says the test activity is intended to assess the aerodynamic characteristics of carrying the Harpoon. “This testing will help to de-risk the clearance process for such weapons to be integrated onto the Typhoon,” it adds.”
https://www.flightglobal.com/bae-checks-harpoon-fit-for-anti-ship-typhoon/109396.article
Did some reading on Wikipedia and it looks like the first ASM to be operational on Typhoon will be Marte-ER
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Killer_/_Marte
Cheers JOHNT,
We’ll need something!
“The UK Royal Navy (RN) faces an extended gap in its heavyweight over-the-horizon anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability after plans for a limited buy of ship-launched anti-ship missile systems was abandoned.
Industry was formally notified by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) earlier this month that the Interim Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon (I-SSGW) programme had been cancelled.”
https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval-weapons/latest/uk-confirms-cancellation-of-i-ssgw-programme
Bravo. Never mind ships, it is aircraft and SSN that engage enemy vessels. An ASM for our jets really should be a priority.
I do wonder is Storm Shadow doesn’t have a proper AShM missile role too. The seeker is perfectly capable. MDBA state on their website “that the onboard IR seeker matches the target image with the stored picture to ensure precision strike” So it is RoI compliant for Naval Use. Wiki is not always 100% but does state “Intended targets are command, control and communications; airfields; ports and power stations; AMS/ammunition storage; surface ships and submarines in port; bridges and other high value strategic targets” However, that was before the last upgrade was carried out which added two way comms and… Read more »
Would be handy, as I for one and I guess most others always think of SS as a land attack missile.
As I’ve said on another post, this is the reason the govt have created a minister of govt efficiency. They know a war is coming and they want everything to be ready for 2030
Is this the group that conducted the live fire exercise to SW of Ireland now headed back or additional vessels?
Hi Daniele, I could be wrong but read that as more than one group on the move. The Russian’s are really stepping up their deployments which is not good news. If they were de-esclating as they claim their ships would be heading back to the barn to underline the point politicially, not cruising NATO’s backyard. Putin is still playing his brinkmanship games and pushing the West for more concessions. It’s the late 1930’s all over again – appeasement and we know how that ended. Shame I don’t hear a Churchillian voice speaking out this time… I really feel for troops… Read more »
Hi CR.
And still the cuts continue…upping the budget is a start, need more assets now.
Churchillian? I cannot think of a single one, from any party.
Mind you, some were too busy last year wanting to erase Churchill and going on about race and the usual clap trap, so are we surprised!?
Round them up and send them to Estonia to join our BG.
Hi Daniele, was wondering the same thing. The way that they talked about going back and forth through the Channel and suchlike, I wonder if this isn’t broadly a summaryof the various Russian vessel groups that have transitted in the last few weeks- rather than a new lot. That would be the two lots of amphibs from the Baltic and the other group doing the live fire exercises off of Ireland.
Bit of politically sneaky wording from the RN though, implying that a whole new lot of 7 Russian warships sailed around our cost.
WZ seems to have the answers mate.
The ones off Ireland (at least in part) headed into the Med after a couple of days, worked their way across and are now hanging around the entrance to the Aegean, possibly in place to blockade the Dardanelles if desired.
They have also massed ASM launch vehicles, submarines and aircraft in Syria, likely to try and scare NATO carriers out of the western Med.
Russian-Navy-Med-Black-Sea-Map-2022-02-15.jpg (1920×1080) (hisutton.com)
Given the forecast and recent conditions hardly surprising they are not hanging around the SW approaches.
Thanks. Their acting like they mean business aren’t they. Cyprus must be having a field day.
That map, really interesting.
Would hope to see the UK ship building industry being busy for the foreseeable future considering the increased threat globally, which has significantly increased in the last few years due to two aggressive players now working together for mutual benefit.
Those brave lads and lasses, they’ll be black n blue and will be running low on sick bags. They’ll be getting a right battering in these storms not a nice patrol to be on.
Mine the Channel! Seriously, We are now paying for years of underfunding for our armed forces. The rush for the Ruble has blinded Politicians of all flavours for years. Russia has never been a friend to the UK! and never will.
If you mine the Channel all that happens is a lot of civilian shipping will be sunk and a lot of innocent civilians lost.
The Channel is one of, if not the busiest shipping lane in the world.
I think there is a clue to how serious the ” mine” comment was by the fourth word!.
Napoleonic war, WW1, WW2 we were allies.
Looked at another way, here is the unanswerable case for modernising and increasing our armed forces. Putin is one thing, but the principal enemy we have to overcome is the metropolitan clique that runs every aspect of our national life.
To be honest most of that metropolitan clique are simply wage slaves to the super wealthy and its getting worse to be honest. Although it’s written by a raving elitist libertarian ( Lord William rees-mogg, the Minister for rich peoples daddy) that thinks the general public are a punch of peasants, the book “the sovereign individual” is worth a read. It’s basic premise is the the Information Age will free the rich and powerful from the shackles of the nation state to run the world as they see fit ( to make bags more money from what I could read).… Read more »
Really? That’s not how I read it, and I have read it.
Hi Steve that’s interesting as I found it very much in line with the view that the world is and opportunity of the individual or more appropriately the individual with the wealth and other elements of social capital and that nations states are going to become irrelevant. It’s very much a text book of the rise of the tec billionaires and large multinationals controlled buy a select few. Its not a happy book at all. I would be interested on your key take outs as I think on one level what you take out of it depends on why your… Read more »
So yesterday the US reported that one of their P8 aircraft was buzzed by a Russian jet in the middle of the med. here is the video ( Can’t see the P8thou)
https://twitter.com/abtom3xahuk/status/1493960061760282625?s=21
I assume the camera AC is another Hornet?
It does look like an F18
Lunatic if real footage and not CGI. No matter how skilled the pilot this isn’t a Red Arrows display, it’s aggressive. The way that 2nd Hornet drops away in reaction.
Soon typhoons will have to escort the P-8’s.
Blimey that almost ended very badly. Camera angles can distort but the way that F18 twitched it looked they were feet away from losing some aircraft.
And here they are sending a bloody opv into a potential flashpoint which I believe was stated categorically that they were not intended or would be used for that sort of thing.
I know they unlikely to come under attack but fuck me at least send something with half a chance of defending itself.
James, I answered a similar question on the last thread yesterday, where i pointed out the Montreux Convention for ships entering the Black sea. In a Nutshell non regional ships can only enter the sea as a group with a total mass of 15000 tonnes. The group Trent (Italian and Spanish frigates) is with come in at around 13000 tones, Trent comes in at 2000 tonnes, thus allowing that NATO force to comprise of 3 ships and not 2.
Hi Farouk, the convention is based around specific nations so NATO does not count. The U.K. can have it’s tonnage as can every other nation.
Trent was in the eastern med anyway and they have just pushed it closer to Russia.
personally I think it’s time to be moving a constabulary vessel out of that area.
Yes it’s a worry a constabulary ship should be moved away.
Apparently they have some sort of beurocratic/spin that makes them magically avoid hostile environments.
In other news today the Polish have narrowed down to two choices of new Frigate, the meko A300 and our very own arrowhead 140. It would be excellent if they could pull a proper export order out the bag. There has to be a reason why the new facility can build 2 ships simultaneously.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/just-the-two-of-us-babcock-and-tkms-remain-in-miec/
Unfortunately it would be build in Poland so no actual hull work for the U.K., but a good bit of supply chain I would imagine.
Im thinking that the U.K may get the order as the talks around a tri nation pact between the U.K. Poland Ukraine are going well.
Polish built UH60’s for Type 31’s maybe.
HMS Echo, crikey are we reduced to using survey vessels for this role?
RN, yet again showing the way for the rest of the mil, well, deffo the Army on how to plan for the future, operate on a budget and innovate! Spot on to the lot of em!
Are all the Brit’s new destroyers still stuck in port?
Who said they were “stuck”? It has been explained very well on here why they are in port.