Photo credit: Royal Navy

The Royal Navy tracked a Russian submarine and carried out a concentrated three-day operation to watch every move as part of joint NATO efforts.

The Plymouth-based frigate HMS Iron Duke monitored the surfaced Russian Kilo-class submarine Novorossiysk and its support tug Yakov Grebelsky near the French coast, close to the island of Ushant at the entrance to the English Channel.

Over the following 72 hours (from 7 to 9 October), HMS Iron Duke, along with her Wildcat helicopter from 825 Naval Air Squadron, closely tracked and reported every movement of the Russian vessels as they transited through the Channel and into the North Sea. The frigate then passed on monitoring responsibilities to a NATO ally.

The operation is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguard the integrity of UK waters and protecting national security through the government’s Plan for Change.

Al Carns, Minister for the Armed Forces said: “Russian vessels have been passing through the English Channel more frequently and our Royal Navy is on the job 24/7, keeping a close eye on their movements to make sure our waters and undersea cables stay safe.

“This is a clear sign of how the UK stands strong with our NATO allies to push back against Russian aggression.

“The Royal Navy’s dedication and professionalism are absolutely vital for keeping the UK safe. The Government is fully committed to giving our Armed Forces the tools and support they need to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.”

The operation was part of a carefully coordinated allied effort, with 11 warships from six nations so far linking up to locate, track and handover duties, ensuring constant and unbroken monitoring of the Russians – in the face of challenging weather conditions.

It began in the Mediterranean Sea, with HMS Cutlass of the Gibraltar Fast Boat Squadron shadowing Novorossiysk – which spent time dived and on the surface during her voyage – through the Strait of Gibraltar, before NATO warships took up the tasking until the entrance to the English Channel.

There, Iron Duke was waiting once more to watch the Russians – the ship’s second such operation in the space of two weeks and her 19th in the last year, as the submarine continued her journey towards the Baltic Sea.

Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, Commander David Armstrong, said: “A surfaced Russian submarine will always focus the mind.

“This operation was characterised by teamwork. Spanning an extended period, and complicated by severe weather and a Kilo transiting both dived and, on the surface, it has involved 11 surface units from six partner nations – likely more by the time it concludes it voyage.”

Having operated as part of the alliance’s Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), which patrols northern Europe from the Baltic to the Atlantic to provide security and stability to the region, in the last year, Iron Duke was well-placed to coordinated effectively with allied warships during the operation.

The Type 23 frigate and the Wildcat helicopter utilised their powerful sensors and remained poised to pivot to Anti-Submarine Warfare focus if the Kilo-class dived beneath the waves.

The UK is steadfast in its support to NATO, increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to increase to 3% in the next parliament.