Russian warship's hypersonic transit alarms NATO in Channel
Admiral Golovko, a Russian frigate equipped with hypersonic missiles, passed through the English Channel on Saturday, November 9, drawing NATO's attention. Supported by the tanker Vyazma, the vessel was identified by the British frigate HMS Iron Duke. RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft and Merlin HM2 helicopters tracked its movements.
The Admiral Golovko is a Project 22350 vessel that entered service in December 2023. It has 16 vertical launchers for cruise missiles, including hypersonic Zircons with a range of up to 620 miles, and 32 anti-aircraft missile launchers. Additionally, Admiral Golovko is armed with a 5-inch A-192M gun, two CIWS Palash systems, and eight torpedo launchers.
Russian frigate under NATO observation
The standard support for the frigate on long missions is provided by the tanker Vyazma, which supplies fuel and other necessary resources. According to The Aviationist, this marks the first long-range mission for Admiral Golovko, although its sister ship, Admiral Gorshkov, had previously attracted NATO's attention. On this occasion, Admiral Golovko's passage through the English Channel is reported by Russian media as part of showcasing the Russian fleet's presence in strategic areas.
The British Royal Navy routinely monitors Russian ships in the English Channel. However, the support from the RAF and cooperation with the Dutch Navy this time indicate heightened interest in the operation, notes The Aviationist. RAF P-8 Poseidon aircraft, operating from the Lossiemouth base, tracked the frigate's route from the North Sea to the Atlantic. At the same time, the Merlin HM2 helicopter, equipped with a Blue Kestrel 5000 radar, provided additional air support.
The Russian intelligence ship Yantar also participated in the operation, passing through the English Channel towards the Atlantic. Known for its presence near British waters, Yantar has systems to operate remote underwater vehicles, which can be used to examine underwater infrastructure such as communication cables or sonar networks. This vessel was observed near the strike group of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
On Tuesday, Russian news agencies reported that a Russian Navy frigate equipped with new-generation hypersonic cruise missiles was participating in maneuvers in the English Channel and performing tasks in the Atlantic Ocean. Its crew is conducting "counter-terrorism drills – repelling air and sea drone attacks from a mock enemy." The Russian Northern Fleet's statement noted that the vessel is "currently continuing to carry out missions in the Atlantic Ocean."
