RN shadows seven Russian warships off UK coast
The UK RN confirmed on 26 March that it has been shadowing seven Russian naval vessels in the English Channel and North Sea following ‘unusually high levels of activity’.
Tasked with tracking and monitoring the Russian fleet were the Type 23 frigates HMS Kent, HMS Sutherland, HMS Argyll and HMS Richmond. Additionally, OPVs HMS Tyne and HMS Mersey along with the Tide-class RFA Tideforce (pictured), RFA Tidespring and HMS Echo were sent to support the mission.
Two Fleet Air Arm squadrons (814 and 815 Naval Air Squadrons) also contributed Merlin and Wildcat naval helicopters.
The Russian vessels included three Steregushchiy-class corvettes, two Ropucha-class landing ships and two Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, supported by auxiliary ships and tugs.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
