"Maintaining presence is vital": Royal Navy and RFA scrambled to hunt Russian submarine in English Channel
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British forces were deployed to keep their beady eyes on a Russian submarine transiting through the English Channel.
A specialist Royal Navy Merlin helicopter and RFA tanker Tidesurge were scrambled to monitor Moscow military assets. Personnel from 814 Naval Squadron and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary shadowed the Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar accompanying tug boat Altay.
They proceeded westward from the North Sea, through the Strait of Dover and into the English Channel. Russian activities threatening UK waters have increased by 30 per cent over the past two years, with Britain signing a defensive pact with Norway to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.
Commanding Officer of RFA Tidesurge, Captain James Allen, said: “There is nothing like a Russian submarine to focus the mind for any mariner. Our tasking over the course of three days involved the teamwork and professionalism of all RFA Tidesurge ship’s company, embarked 814 Naval Air Squadron Atlantic Flight and interoperability with near regional NATO allies. We worked together as a show of presence and deterrence as we transited from the North Sea to the English Channel.”
The Merlin helicopter remained embarked on RFA Tidesurge throughout the operation. Expert aircrew were prepared to pivot to anti-submarine operations if Krasnodar had dived below the surface. The Russian submarine sailed on the surface through the Channel despite stormy weather conditions sweeping the UK.
The Royal Navy continued to track Krasnodar and Altay until the Russians reached the northwest of France, near the island of Ushant, handing over the shadowing task to a NATO ally. This operation took three days.
Lieutenant Commander David Emery, Flight Commander of 814 Naval Air Squadron’s Atlantic Flight said: “Maintaining an overt presence and continued over watch of Russian vessels in UK waters is vital for national security. The flexibility and professionalism of the crew of RFA Tidesurge allows us to project our helicopter wherever, day or night, in the maritime environment.”