Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Tyne and a Wildcat helicopter were dispatched to intercept Russian Navy Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky and merchant vessel Sparta IV in UK waters
Fears that other nations – including Britain – could become embroiled in World War 3 have ramped up as the Royal Navy had to tail warships which entered UK waters.
The Royal Navy was forced to shadow two sanctioned Russian cargo ships and their escorting warships in the past week as part of a concentrated NATO effort from the Mediterranean to the North Sea.
Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Tyne and a Wildcat helicopter from Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Squadron were dispatched to intercept Russian Navy Ropucha-class landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky and merchant vessel Sparta IV.
During the Russians’ voyage through the Atlantic, English Channel and into the North Sea, British warship Tyne utilised powerful sensors and radars to report on every move, with the Wildcat simultaneously flying a sortie over the Channel to provide additional surveillance and security.
The Russian vessels were first intercepted by HMS Cutlass of the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron as they sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar’s Traffic Separation Scheme, before an allied warship tracked their journey north.
Then, HMS Tyne was activated for monitoring duties in the Atlantic approaches to the Channel.
Just 48 hours after this operation was complete, HMS Tyne and a Wildcat were activated again to track another Russian Ropucha-class warship, Aleksandr Shabalin, and cargo vessel MV Sabetta as they sailed westward through the English Channel.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “I am proud of everything that our exceptional Armed Forces are doing to keep Britain safe – both around the UK and on deployments overseas.
“While our UK forces are in action in the Middle East to protect British people, British interests and our partners, this operation sends a warning to Putin: we are watching you. Iran’s dangerous indiscriminate attacks will not distract us from deterring Russia and supporting Ukraine. We are ready to track, deter and defend our nation.”
HMS Tyne’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Matt Cavill said: “Maintaining the security of our Island Nation is paramount to ensuring we can project a global presence.
“The way in which we collaborate with allied nations assures us of the collective strength which we require in an uncertain world.
“Operations such as these are vital to demonstrate resolve, protect our waters and gain intelligence to support future operations.”
Commander James Woods, Commanding Officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron, said: “This activation demonstrated the professionalism, speed and effectiveness that 815 Naval Air Squadron brings to operations at home and abroad. Our aircrew and engineers delivered clear, timely situational awareness and integrated seamlessly with HMS Tyne.
“Wildcat remains a potent maritime strike platform, providing a visible and persistent presence at sea. The aircraft’s ability to support UK precision-effect capabilities with Martlet and Sea Venom reinforces the vital role it plays in maritime security.
“This routine tasking reflects our continued vigilance and underscores the very high readiness of our people and aircraft as we work to safeguard the UK’s national interests and support our NATO commitments.”