Royal Navy warship HMS Forth shadows Russian boat

Royal Navy ship HMS Forth is escorting Russian warship Vasily Bykov through the English Channel on her first week of service.

HMS Forth met the Russian patrol boat as she entered British waters on Monday and has been pictured shadowing her today. It was only a week ago Forth was welcomed into the Navy fleet after completing sea trials for the first time.

Russian boats regularly pass through the Channel and it is standard procedure for them to be guided by a Navy ship. 

HMS Forth set sail from Liverpool on Sunday after locating the Vasily Bykov near UK waters and met her the following day off the west coast of France. 

She is being accompanied by Royal Navy aircraft from Culdrose-based 824 Naval Air Squadron and Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Squadron. 

Lieutenant Samuel Fields, the ship’s executive officer, said: ‘As a brand new addition to the Royal Navy’s operational fleet, this was an ideal tasking for HMS Forth to display the versatility and capability of our ship.

‘This is normal business for the Royal Navy, being prepared at all times to respond to any vessels in the UK’s area of interest. HMS Forth is one of the Royal Navy’s ships kept at very high readiness to protect the integrity of UK waters.

‘The Royal Navy has an enduring commitment to protecting our home waters and is on duty 365 days a year to ensure this commitment is met.’ 

After patrols around the UK, HMS Forth is due to be sent to the Falklands at the end of this year to replace HMS Clyde as the islands’ permanent naval guardian.

The aim is to operate Forth’s four sister ships – Medway, Trent, Spey and Tamar – from ports and bases around the globe to provide a constant Royal Navy presence in regions such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Far East.

HMS Forth met the Russian patrol boat as she entered British waters on Monday and has been pictured shadowing her today