The Royal Navy have deployed a lightly equipped patrol vessel to escort a Russian flotilla returning from operations in Syria through the English Channel.
HMS Mersey has been tasked with escorting a spy ship, landing ship and tanker through British waters, despite having larger frigates supposedly ready for the task.
The Russian fleet – which includes a Ropucha-class landing ship, Vishnya-class spy ship Feodor Golovin and Altay-class oiler Yelnya – is on route to its Northern Fleet home port in Severomorsk, located off the Barents sea.
The Royal Navy have deployed a lightly equipped patrol vessel HMS Mersey to escort a Russian flotilla returning from operations in Syria through the English Channel (pictured: HMS Mersey shadowing the large vessels in the foreground)
The patrol vessel, which typically looks after British fishermen in the English Channel, broke off from it’s duties in Portsmouth to shadow Putin’s fleet.
BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale raised questions on Twitter over why the patrol ship was deemed adequate next to three larger, military grade vessels.
HMS Mersey took over the escort from the French Navy which had monitored the task group’s progress through the Bay of Biscay and handed over to the Dutch Navy once the three ships had passed through the Strait of Dover.
The last time Russian boats passed close to British waters the Royal Navy dispatched frigate HMS Westminster to monitor them.
A Royal Navy statement said: ‘For the third time in two months, the Royal Navy has kept a constant eye on a Russian naval force passing the UK.
‘Patrol ship HMS Mersey and a Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton were dispatched to follow the progress of three Russian warships and vessels as they made their way up the Channel.
The patrol vessel, which typically looks after British fishermen in the English Channel, broke off from it’s duties in Portsmouth to shadow Putin’s fleet
HMS Mersey (top right) took over the escort from the French Navy which had monitored the task group’s progress through the Bay of Biscay and handed over to the Dutch Navy once the three ships had passed through the Strait of Dover
Despite concerns over whether the vessel was adequate, a respected Navy blogger online said it was normal for patrol boats to be used when frigates are unavailable
BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale raised questions on Twitter over why the patrol ship was deemed adequate next to three larger, military grade vessels
Some observers questioned the use of the fisheries patrol vessel for such a large task
‘The Russian spy ship Feodor Golovin, landing ship Alexander Ostrakovskiy and tanker Yelnya have been supporting Russian operations in Syria and are believed to be returning to their base ports in the Baltic and Barents seas.
‘Portsmouth-based Mersey and her 34 crew broke off from a regular fishery protection patrol in home waters and sailed to meet the Russian trio as they approached the Channel, taking over from the French Navy which has monitored the task group’s progress through the Bay of Biscay.’
Despite concerns over whether the vessel was adequate, a respected Navy blogger online said it was normal for patrol boats to be used when frigates are unavailable.