NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has ridiculed Russia after one of its submarines, the Novorossiysk, suffered a reported malfunction off the French coast and was shadowed by allied warships through the English Channel last week.
Speaking in Slovenia on 13 October, Rutte referred to the Novorossiysk as “a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol”, contrasting Moscow’s faltering naval presence with its once formidable reputation. “What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel The Hunt for Red October,” he added. “Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic.”
The Novorossiysk, a Project 636.3 Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, was detected by NATO naval forces off Brittany on 9 October. According to the Dutch Defence Ministry, the submarine surfaced near the coast and was later escorted by the Dutch Navy alongside the support tug Yakov Grebelsky, suggesting the vessel may have been towed.
Dutch and British maritime assets, including HMS Iron Duke and its embarked Wildcat helicopter, were involved in tracking the Russian submarine as part of a broader NATO monitoring operation that spanned from the Strait of Gibraltar to the North Sea. The Royal Navy confirmed it had maintained unbroken surveillance of the Russian vessel between 7 and 9 October before handing off responsibility to another allied warship.
Reports from Dutch media outlet NL Times indicate the Novorossiysk may have suffered a serious fuel leak, forcing it to surface unexpectedly near France. Unable to dock in the Black Sea or Syrian ports, the submarine was reportedly redirected north under NATO observation for repairs.
The Russian Black Sea Fleet has denied any technical failure, claiming the Novorossiysk was conducting a “scheduled inter-fleet transit” after completing Mediterranean operations. Moscow maintains that the surfacing was part of routine navigational procedures.
Is this really a helpful comment.. in the west it will be seen by the public and political classes as way to say well they are not really a credible threat and in Russia it will just be used to prop up Putins dialogue.
Worse still, if the MOD asserts “Russia is not a credible threat” and uses that as an excuse for further cuts.
No as we still have China as a threat to deal with, so the cuts really can’t be afforded
Fully agree, Mark Rutte’s comments does not help at this time.
It is also naive of Mr Rutte. Although the Russians are only slowly grinding through Ukraine, if they were at war with us we would feel more pain due such submarines causing havoc along our extended supply lines.
It took one container ship stuck in the Suez canal to drastically alter shipping routes via the Cape of Good Hope.
Yes we have better sensors these days, but they are either on fewer platforms, or we don’t have enough trained staff to spread sensors around STUFT vessels.
Submarines are formidable weapons against commerce, we have a vast shipping system feeding the EU and us, the Russians have the Worlds largest country to live off.
Mr Rutte, stop with the stone throwing in our current glass house. It is childish and unprofessional.
That said, I do hope the Russian submarines often fail, but how many times have we seen their newer (Kilo etc) actually fail like this.. not enough.
Yup confusing messaging from nato head. Are they are a threat or joke. Secondly though they are still submariners in potential danger.
I’d agree with both you and Jonathan that this messaging is poor.
The Russian SSN threat is real and serious as it where they spent their Rubbles.
The Russian surface fleet is a joke.
I’m sure various NATO SSKs have broken down at various times. Dilly used to shepherd various submarines to various places if it couldn’t fix them.
In this case the Russian sub could make her own way on the surface.
Yes how many times have RN ships broken down and needed to be repaired, it’s essentially a normal part of Maritime operations, ships break. Last month this man was telling the west how we are heading for a war we may not win and need to spend 5% of GDP. What is Russia ? Is it a joke or existential threat, it’s one or other, not both.
About the most stupid comment from the Nato Head Shed in years. This in one of quite a few Russian subs. No comments on the majority of RN Astutes tied up eh? Still, appeals to tabloid minds.
I the Astute activity levels will improve as the barrier was dry dock and ship lift being out of action simultaneously.
So can they tow the sub while it is still submerged? That’s pretty cool.
The Russian Navy are still world leaders in the field of salvage and recovery.
Kind of ironic given that half of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is now permanently underwater but one of the few assets designed to actually be underwater is stuck on the surface.
Ha and that’s kind of Ironic in itself given most of ours seem to be almost permanently stuck on the surface, In Port, waiting to be repaired.
They are resting in preparation to leap into an action.. it’s what I tell my wife all the time.
Mocking Russia is the best way to deal with them. Drones we can shot down and thank Russia sarcastically for giving NATO the practice same with their fighters in NATO airspace. Offer them navigation training as clearly it is very poor. Send them some cheap GPS navigation systems,