Royal Navy to Have New Area of Operations in the North Atlantic
The Royal Navy told Sky News that it would be expanding its area of operations into the North Atlantic. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones said there is a growing Russian threat in that area and the Royal Navy intends to meet that challenge.
Not long ago the US also announced it would be re-starting its patrols in that area too to meet the same menace. The Royal Navy will deploy warships to the area as well as aircraft to patrol the northern Atlantic theatre of operations. The RAF (Royal Airforce) will also be deploying aircraft to help in these operations.
Admiral Jones said the Royal Navy will be protecting fibre optic cables under the sea. Specifically, because the Russian navy has the capability to destabilise and interfere with these expensive communication networks. Therefore in time of war or even not in a time of war, the Royal Navy will be there to protect these vital lines of communications.
Specifically, Russian subs are equipped to disrupt fibre optic communications on the seabed. The Russian navy often sails on the British coast when deploying to the Mediterranean. Usually, with the Soviet-era aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov escorted by destroyers or frigates with tugboats in attendance. Royal Navy vessels sailing out of Plymouth sometimes shadow these Russian vessels.
The UK has a new giant aircraft ' Queen Elizabeth' which features up to date defences, radars, aircraft and other state of the art capabilities. Will this new ship be deployed to the area and confront along with other Royal Navy vessels any Russian threat?
The UK and Russia are at loggerheads over many things and the British announcing this North Atlantic deployment will no doubt up the ante.
Russia's only aircraft carrier: Admiral Kuznetsov.
As mentioned in this article Admiral Kuznetsov is a Soviet-era aircraft carrier. Apparently, even though this relic from Communist times has had a re-fit it has many mechanical troubles.
Noticeable as it sails along is the puff of smoke exuding from its funnel which according to those in the know is not a good sign. Also as mentioned in this article tugs are always in attendance with the giant aircraft carrier in case it should break down.
How reliable she is in combat cannot be known but here is a breakdown of the ship:
Length: 305 m.
Construction started: 1 April 1982.
Aircraft carried: approximately 41.
Speed: 29 knots (33 mph or 54 km/h).
Re-fit: August 2015.
