A Royal Navy patrol ship and two helicopters have tracked a Russian submarine and assist vessel by the English Channel and North Sea in assist of a NATO mission.
Portsmouth-based HMS Mersey was deployed alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a Merlin Mk2 from 824 Naval Air Squadron to watch the Russian Navy’s Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and her accompanying Goryn-class tug Yakov Grebelski as they transited the North Sea and English Channel.
The surfaced Russian vessels had been shadowed as a part of the UK’s position in sustaining situational consciousness in nationwide waters and supporting allied surveillance operations. “Monitoring the transit of naval vessels by our space of accountability stays a basic activity,” mentioned HMS Mersey’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Dan Wardle. “One which ensures we preserve situational consciousness and the power to reply swiftly when required.”
He added: “This operation is one other clear demonstration of the Royal Navy’s enduring dedication to safeguarding the UK’s maritime pursuits. I’m pleased with my ship’s firm, whose professionalism, cohesion, and fixed readiness proceed to mirror the excessive requirements anticipated of Royal Navy personnel.”
The operation marked the sixth time in three months that HMS Mersey has been tasked to watch Russian naval exercise. It additionally comes only one week after UK warships together with HMS Duncan and HMS Trent shadowed the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich and corvette Boikiy.
For 824 NAS, based mostly at RNAS Culdrose, the deployment offered precious expertise for trainee crews on the Merlin Mk2 Operational Conversion Unit. “This chance allowed 824 NAS to show junior aircrew to reactive operations in cooperation with HMS Mersey to guard UK waters,” mentioned Commander Alex Kelley.
After finishing its monitoring duties, HMS Mersey handed over accountability to NATO allies because the Russian vessels exited UK waters. The plane returned to their dwelling bases at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.