Russia Pressures Royal Navy's Weak Spot

The expansion of Russian hostile activities in British waters in recent months could not have come at a worse time for the Royal Navy, putting pressure on resources in the particular capability areas where the Royal Navy is critically deficient.

The operations in British waters of Russia's GUGI underwater intelligence-collection submarines and vessels (such as the Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov) and the posting of a permanent picket ship in the North Sea (currently the frigate RFS Neustrashimy) – come on top of the burden of monitoring the movements of Russian dark fleet tankers and sanctioned vessels carrying military cargoes, which are primarily resupplying the state-sponsored mercenary Africa Corps in West and North Africa.

Clearly, the Russians are concerned about the possible interdiction of their vessels in the North Sea. Some vessels are being sent north and west around the British Isles to avoid territorial waters, and the Russians themselves struggle to field suitable naval escorts for those taking the shorter route through the English Channel. But equally, the Royal Navy does not have sufficient frigates to shadow these Russian movements, and it is having to use valuable Type 45 air defense destroyers or lightly armed patrol vessels instead – or, increasingly, to monitor movements only from the air, courtesy of Fleet Air Arm Merlin helicopters and Royal Air Force Protector surveillance drones.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →