Royal Navy helicopters and patrol ship track Russian submarine through UK waters

Royal Navy helicopters and a patrol ship kept close watch on a surfaced Russian submarine and its support vessel as they passed through UK waters.

Portsmouth-based HMS Mersey was joined by a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron and a submarine-hunting Merlin aircraft from 824 Naval Air Squadron to monitor the RFN Novorossiysk, escorted by the Goryn-class tug Yakov Grebelski.

The Royal Navy said the operation was part of the UK government's ongoing efforts to protect national security and maintain the integrity of British waters under its Plan for Change.

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Using advanced sensors and surveillance systems, the British forces tracked the movements of the Russian vessels throughout their transit.

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."

For the submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters of 824 NAS, based at RNAS Culdrose, it was a chance to contribute to a live operation and sharpen their skills.

824 NAS Commanding Officer, Commander Alex Kelley, said:  "This opportunity allowed 824 NAS to expose junior aircrew, currently conducting training on the Merlin Mk2 Operational Conversion Unit, to reactive operations in cooperation with HMS Mersey to protect UK waters."

Once the Russian vessels left UK waters, HMS Mersey handed over monitoring duties to Nato allies.

The helicopters returned to their respective air stations in Cornwall and Somerset.

It was the sixth such tasking for HMS Mersey in the past three months and came just a week after the patrol ship, with Portsmouth-based frigate HMS Duncan and offshore patrol vessel HMS Trent, was activated to track Russian frigate RFN Admiral Grigorovich and corvette RFN Boikiy in UK waters.