MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' next permanent patrol shadows Russian vessel in the English Channel

HMS Forth shadowing a Russian patrol (Royal Navy).

HMS Forth that in a few months time will be replacing HMS Clyde as Falkland Islands permanent patrol has been engaged in shadowing a Russian patrol ship as it passes through the English Channel towards Dover.

The Royal Navy reported that HMS Forth sailed from Liverpool on Sunday having been activated to meet the Russian ship Vasily Bykov as she neared UK waters.

Forth located the vessel before following her movements alongside Royal Navy aircraft from Culdrose-based 824 Naval Air Squadron and Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Squadron.

It comes one week after HMS Forth was officially welcomed to the Royal Navy fleet having completed her operational sea training for the first time.

Forth sailed at high speed and met the Russian patrol ship the following Monday afternoon off the coast of western France, ensuring the vessel would be monitored throughout her period of transit through the UK’s area of interest.

After patrols around the UK, Forth is due to be sent to the Falkland Islands 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, concludes the RN report.

Meanwhile in the Falklands the Lands Committee decided that a new road south of Kiel Canal Road is to be called Clyde Road, honoring the soon-to-be-retired patrol ship.