Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:06:45-2:07:07

Q&A: how the Royal Navy shadows a Kirov sortie

A Russian Kirov-class cruiser near British waters would be watched openly by a patrol vessel and potentially covertly by an Astute-class submarine.

Astute Class SubmarinesKirov Class BattlecruisersMaritime SecurityMaritime SurveillanceOffshore Patrol VesselsPyotr VelikiyRoyal NavyRussian NavySubmarine SurveillanceUK Waters
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Question

What is the Royal Navy's plan if a Kirov-class cruiser sails again?

Short answer

It would likely be shadowed visibly by an offshore patrol vessel and, when available, covertly by an Astute-class submarine.

Notes

Pyotr Velikiy does occasionally sail, so a sortie is more than a hypothetical scenario. Near British territory, an offshore patrol vessel could provide visible surface tracking. An Astute-class submarine might also monitor the cruiser from below the surface. The exchange illustrates layered maritime surveillance rather than a plan for immediate engagement.