Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate tracks Russian warship in North Sea

Royal Navy’s frigate HMS Portland is tracking the movements of Russian guided missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying tanker Kama as they sail in international waters close to the UK in the North Sea.

The Type 23 frigate joined the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel Bergen, as the Russian ships transited south through the Norwegian Sea.

Portland with Merlin helicopter embarked – both equipped with sonars, sensors and torpedoes for specialist operations – is tracking and reporting on the movements of the Russian ships through the North Sea.

Portland’s Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: “Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.”

“By maintaining a visible and persistent presence, the Royal Navy ensures compliance with maritime law and deters malign activity to protect our nation’s interests. Escorting the Russian task group alongside forces from our NATO allies has demonstrated the UK’s commitment to the alliance and to maintaining maritime security.”

HMS Portland departed its home port of Plymouth on Saturday on its latest patrol. The frigate – which underwent a major refit in 2021 – is adept at surface warfare operations as well as hunting submarines.

HMS Portland spent much of last year patrolling waters close to the UK, with visits to Norway and Sweden, and operating with NATO allies on the alliance’s submarine hunting exercise – Dynamic Mongoose – in the North Atlantic.

Last July, the ship tracked Russian submarines in the same area.