The Royal Navy and RAF have been actively involved in the interception and monitoring of Russian military movements near UK waters.

Four Russian naval vessels were closely shadowed by HMS Iron Duke and HMS Tyne, while RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian Bear-F aircraft operating near UK airspace, according to a Ministry of Defence press release.

Readers should be aware that the aircraft did not enter UK airspace.

HMS Iron Duke, a Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate, took part in a six-day operation, during which it shadowed the Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and its supporting tug Evgeny Churov as they passed through the Dover Strait into the Atlantic. The operation began in early September, with Canadian warship HMCS Shawinigan initially escorting the Russian submarine from the Baltic Sea through the North Sea, before handing over monitoring duties to the Royal Navy. HMS Iron Duke tracked the Russian vessels throughout their passage in UK waters, using a variety of sensors, including its Wildcat helicopter, to maintain constant watch.

Once the Russian vessels exited UK waters, HMS Iron Duke handed over surveillance responsibilities to the French Navy’s frigate FS Auvergne off the northwest coast of France. This marked the end of one mission, but HMS Iron Duke was quickly called into action again to shadow the Steregushchiy-class corvette Stoiky and tanker MT Yaz as they approached Dover. This second mission involved coordination with Belgian patrol vessel BNS Castor before HMS Iron Duke again passed monitoring duties to HMS Tyne as the Russian ships continued their journey.

The RAF’s role in the operation saw two Typhoon jets launched from RAF Lossiemouth on 11 September, tasked with intercepting two Russian Bear-F bombers operating near UK airspace. Supported by a Voyager tanker from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF fighters were under NATO command and escorted the Russian aircraft out of the UK’s Flight Information Region. At no time did the Russian bombers enter UK sovereign airspace, with the interception demonstrating the RAF’s high-readiness Quick Reaction Alert capabilities, which operate 24/7 to defend UK skies.

Defence Secretary John Healey praised the professionalism of the UK armed forces, noting their critical role in maintaining national security. “This government is committed to making the UK secure at home and strong abroad. Efforts by the Royal Navy and RAF over the last two weeks demonstrate their selfless commitment to protecting our national security.” Healey also expressed gratitude for the personnel involved in the operation, stating their “professionalism and skill was on full display while working seamlessly with our NATO allies to uphold international standards.”

HMS Iron Duke’s Commanding Officer, Commander David Armstrong, reflected on the mission’s success, stating, “These were the fourth and fifth such operations for HMS Iron Duke since we emerged from a period of intense training in July, and I am extremely proud of the professionalism and selfless dedication that my ship’s company consistently display as they perform their duty.”

He added that maritime security operations of this nature are fundamental to the Royal Navy, emphasising the importance of protecting the UK’s sovereign waters and critical national infrastructure.

Avatar photo
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

13 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

George Amery
George Amery (@guest_853823)
15 days ago

Hi folks hope all is well.
I often wonder when I read and here of such matters what would happen if the Russian military stubbornly did not take any notice and deliberately come into UK territorial waters? Would the RAF or Royal Navy take action? What are the rules of engagement and would it be the Prime Minister to authorise action of shooting down a Russian fighter plain . Ifcthe latter, that would be a joke, the pants would be soiled in seconds in making a decision.
Cheers
George

Pete ( the original from years ago)
Pete ( the original from years ago) (@guest_853900)
15 days ago
Reply to  George Amery

I remember some panic a few years ago when a Russian task group was suddenly discovered in the moray firth ( but outside the 12 mile limit) but not that far from Lossie as the crow flies…sheltering from a storm apparently. Caused a real panic.

Thomas
Thomas (@guest_853982)
15 days ago
Reply to  George Amery

Should we not make sure we have air defence of the U.K. before pissing of Russia

Joe
Joe (@guest_854135)
14 days ago
Reply to  George Amery

You got your post through George, mine wasn’t as these here are like the rest of the main stream media, they don’t like the truth. Give this lot a miss unless you are bashing the Russians then its fine.

Joe
Joe (@guest_854368)
13 days ago
Reply to  George Allison

I in no way insulted your community George and apologise i did not see an email from yourself. Although you allowed my further posts but still did not the original to me says it all. Sorry read this article and tried to comment, please remove my comments. Thanks

Triple3
Triple3 (@guest_853827)
15 days ago

At first glance I thought that tailfin said BBC PRODUCTION……🤔

Quentin D63
Quentin D63 (@guest_853850)
15 days ago
Reply to  Triple3

Well spotted! Kind of neat looking aircraft aren’t they?

Andy reeves
Andy reeves (@guest_853990)
15 days ago

good old Tyne. that’s showing Ivan that he should come near old blighty.. not.

Last edited 15 days ago by Andy reeves
Joe
Joe (@guest_854026)
14 days ago

The Russians have tested us for decades like this but the concern now is that this country along with some of the nato countries and of course under the command of the worst presidency i can remember in the states want all out war with Russia. You have to question the sanity of these people. They have reneged on past agreements that more or less guaranteed peace between us. Pushing ever further eastwards our tax payers money sending Typhoons to fly up and down the Russian border poking/probing. Now after their overseeing the end of the previous government of Ukraine… Read more »

Joe
Joe (@guest_854137)
14 days ago

Love your name by the way….impartial😂

Joe
Joe (@guest_854154)
14 days ago
Reply to  George Allison

Hi George…..What it was, i wrote rather a long piece that was not published here, point i was trying to prove was stay on the narrative of all the media and you have a platform. Nothing against your post, that is correct. My point i had written about was the fact that we in the west have caused what is happening and we are a click away from total destruction.