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
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.