While the British submarine hunter HMS “Portland” was off Western Norway, the crew became aware of two Russian submarines, the British Navy states in a press release.
This happened on 16 and 19 July northwest of Bergen, when the nuclear-powered “Severodvinsk” and “Vepr” appeared separately. It is respectively a cruise missile submarine and an attack submarine, according to the message.
Submarine hunter
The British warship is called a submarine hunter, because it is equipped with sonars, sensors, helicopters and torpedoes specially suited to deal with what goes on below the water’s surface.
According to the British Navy, a British surveillance aircraft was also deployed, which contributed to the tracking. Eventually Nato and Baltic forces took over the task of following the submarines’ journey towards St. Petersburg, where the Russian navy will honor itself on 31 July.
It was Swedish The Express who mentioned the matter first.
The Navy: – Undramatic
The Norwegian Navy was involved and followed a Russian submarine on 19 July, confirms communications manager Torill Herland to BA.
She describes the incident as routine and undramatic.
– These days, a significant proportion of Russian vessels are on their way to the commemoration of the Russian Navy Day, which takes place in St. Petersburg on 31 July every year. Ahead of this, there is increased Russian activity. It is not unusual, it happens every year and is something we are very familiar with. In this case, allied vessels were also involved, she says.
– There is activity in our waters. It is predictable and not something we see as problematic, says Herland.
While the two coast guard ships KV “Nordkapp” and KV “Bergen” are supposed to have followed Russian surface vessels, it is the frigates that are deployed when submarines are to be followed.
– On 16 July, Thor Heyerdahl was docked, but on 19 July it was there, says Herland.
Regularly trains Nato forces precisely in submarine hunting, including along the Vestland coast. The discovery in mid-July occurred shortly after HMS “Portland” had taken part in such a large-scale exercise.
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