HMS Sutherland has completed winter training in the Arctic Circle and is now heading for high-readiness tasking with NATO, say the Royal Navy.
According to the Royal Navy here, the Type 23 Frigate completed her participation in Norwegian-led Exercise Cold Response, during which she provided defence against submarines to the multinational task group but also conducted air defence and boarding training.
“After a rare pause in Portsmouth, Sutherland is now heading to work with NATO’s Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) – a task group made up of typically frigates and destroyers which patrols northern European waters to provide a reassuring presence.”
The Royal Navy also said that Sutherland worked closely with allies from Norway and the Netherlands during Cold Response, providing vital protecting to amphibious forces landing on Norway’s rugged coastline.
“The Type 23 spent the majority of the exercises in a heightened state of readiness (State 2) and focused on her main specialism as an anti-submarine warfare ship. There was also air defence exercises, during which Sutherland worked closely with HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl, a Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate of the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The embarked boarding team were tested, too. They were deployed on a mission to the KV Jarl, a Norwegian supply ship, where they proved their ability to board and search a vessel of interest. Sutherland then sailed south to join the NATO task group, where she will remain on high-readiness to respond to crises in the region.”
Interesting to see 2 frigates working together to provide air defense.
The RN do so much with so few assets. Bloody well done.
Was that Thor Heyerdahl of Kontiki fame……was it fitted for surface to air blowpipes?
Isn’t Sutherland the last active frigate without Sea Ceptor?
She is the last sea Wolf armed RN ship
I wonder if a Ripple Fire of a few to mark its removal from service will be possible ?.