The Royal Navy had to carry out the rapid deployment of the HMS Somerset frigate in response to the presence of a Russian naval group in the North Sea. The crew of the aforementioned vessel was urgently called to Devonport Naval Base on Christmas Day, setting sail on Friday, December 27, “…making best speed to meet up with the corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and her two support vessels, MV Sparta II and MV General Skobelev…”.
According to the Royal Navy, the Force’s air and naval assets had been continuously monitoring the mentioned Russian naval group during the Christmas holidays as it sailed near the British Isles. “…The Russian force was encountered in the North Sea from where it has been constantly monitored as it passed through the Dover Strait and into the English Channell…,” detailed the Royal Navy in its press report published yesterday.
The HMS Somerset’s commander, Commander Joel Roberts, stated that “…As the UK is an island nation, at all times of the year the Royal Navy maintains units at very high readiness to conduct operations in support of the UK’s national objectives”
“…Maintaining maritime security, demonstrating an assertive presence, ensuring compliance with maritime law, and deterring malign activity in our territorial and adjacent waters are essential components of our maritime strategy and crucial to our national interests…,” emphasized the commander of the recently deployed frigate.
The deployment of HMS Somerset was supported by an embarked Merlin Mk2 helicopter, assigned to the 814 Naval Air Squadron of RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. The helicopter conducted monitoring flights, including capturing images of the Russian vessels and the HMS Somerset’s tracking operation.
The HMS Somerset F82 is a Type 23 frigate, also known as the Duke class. Although these vessels were initially designed for anti-submarine warfare tasks, the units have gradually upgraded their capabilities to become multipurpose platforms.
Despite their years of service, the Type 23s will continue to operate until their replacements arrive, which will materialize in the form of the Inspiration and City class frigates. Until these programs are completed, the Dukes are receiving limited updates and enhancements. In this regard, the program for integrating new NSM anti-ship missiles provided by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace can be mentioned.
Broadly speaking, this initiative involves the installation and integration of the new missile’s launch systems, adopting a layout similar to that of the Harpoon Block IC. These works are carried out by Babcock and BAE Systems, with advice and technical assistance from the Norwegian firm. By December 2023, HMS Somerset had become the first Type 23 frigate equipped with this new capability.
Cover image: Royal Navy
You may also like: After 34 years of service, the Royal Navy prepares to decommission the last of its Trafalgar-class nuclear submarines
