Russian submarine off UK coast tracked by Royal Navy warship and helicopters

The Royal Navy used helicopters and a warship in order to shadow a surfaced Russian submarine as it sailed through the North Sea and English Channel.

The Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Mersey, a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a specialist submarine-hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron were all involved in the operation to monitor the RFN Novorossiysk as it sailed west through UK waters. A Royal Navy spokesman said: "The British warship and helicopters utilised powerful sensors and systems to watch every move the Kilo-class boat and Goryn-class tug boat Yakov Grebelski during their voyage."

READ MORE: Russian Navy warships shadowed by Royal Navy in English Channel and North Sea

HMS Mersey's commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle said: "This operation is another clear demonstration of the Royal Navy's enduring commitment to safeguarding the United Kingdom's maritime interests. Monitoring the transit of naval vessels through our area of responsibility remains a fundamental task; one that ensures we maintain situational awareness and the ability to respond swiftly when required.

"I am proud of my ship's company, whose professionalism, cohesion and constant readiness continue to reflect the high standards expected of Royal Navy personnel." The spokesman said that as the Russian submarine left UK waters, monitoring responsibilities were passed on to Nato allies.

He added: "It was the sixth such tasking for HMS Mersey in the last three months and comes just a week after the patrol ship and fellow Portsmouth ships HMS Duncan and HMS Trent were all activated to watch Russian frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich and corvette RFN Boikiy in UK waters."

It comes just days Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, issued a warning that Russian warships are "increasingly sailing through the English Channel" and the Royal Navy was urged to deploy its warships and helicopters to shadow Russian activity in the English Channel and North Sea. In response to the increase in appearances, the Royal Navy has been instructed to strengthen its defence.

Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Duncan and patrol ship HMS Mersey worked in tandem as they reported on the movements of RFN Boikiy as the corvette sailed eastwards through the English Channel. Mr Pollard stressed: "Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and every time they do, a Royal Navy vessel will be keeping an eye on them. I have every confidence, as should the British public, that our Royal Navy will continue to defend our waters and keep our undersea cables safe."

Commander Daniel Lee, Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, said: "Escorting foreign warships through waters near the UK is a vital part of our mission to protect our nation and uphold international maritime law. It’s a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our seas, which are so important to the lives and livelihoods of the British people. As a ship's company, we are proud to carry out this duty on behalf of the nation, showcasing our professionalism and readiness to respond to any task required of us."

This operation came soon after patrol ship HMS Trent and Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron shadowed RFN Admiral Grigorovich as part of joint NATO efforts as the Russian frigate sailed past Gibraltar, through the English Channel and into the North Sea. Type 45 destroyer Duncan met the Steregushchiy-class corvette near the island of Ushant at the southwestern end of the Channel on the French coast on June 20. HMS Mersey took over duties off the Isle of Wight on June 21, with Duncan returning to training ahead of operations.