Type 23 Royal Navy frigate HMS Iron Duke and her embarked Wildcat helicopter kept close watch on a Russian submarine as she transited through the English Channel.
The Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and her support tug Yakov Grebelsky were shadowed from October 7 beginning near the island of Ushant, which lies at the boundary between the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel.
The British warship followed the boat at close quarters through the Channel until it entered the North Sea, where tracking duties were taken up three days later by a NATO ally, as per a recent Royal Navy press statement.
It noted: “The operation was part of a carefully coordinated allied effort, with 11 warships from six nations so far linking up to locate, track and handover duties, ensuring constant and unbroken monitoring of the Russians — in the face of challenging weather conditions.”
Another British vessel, HMS Cutlass of the Gibraltar Fast Boat Squadron, had previously begun the process in the Strait of Gibraltar.
Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns commented: “Russian vessels have been passing through the English Channel more frequently and our Royal Navy is on the job 24/7, keeping a close eye on their movements to make sure our waters and undersea cables stay safe.
“This is a clear sign of how the UK stands strong with our NATO allies to push back against Russian aggression.”
- You can read more details on the Royal Navy website