Latest news with #Kilo-class
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
French fishing trawler came ‘face to face' with Russian sub
A French fishing trawler came face to face with a Russian attack submarine when it surfaced in the English Channel off the coast of Brittany. The crew of the 25 metre Belenos trawler were shocked to see the Kilo-class vessel break the surface of the water just metres away from their boat as they were fishing near the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. One image, taken by a crew member, appears to show a figure emerging from the front of the conning tower, the raised structure that acts as the command centre. Reports of the Russian craft's presence came as a French admiral on Wednesday revealed that a shadow fleet of 'around 900' ghost ships run by Russia, North Korea and Iran, ply the waves, with 'a dozen' passing through the Channel every day. According to data from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking tool, the Belenos left Roscoff in Brittany at about 9am on Saturday. It then fished north of Roscoff, approaching the west coast of the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey when the encounter took place. Ouest-France, the regional paper that broke the story, cited the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture, based in Brest, as playing down the incident. It said: 'It's a submarine that had been tracked for some time; it was simply in transit.' However, the paper said it was 'very unusual for such a vessel to surface so close to a fishing boat'. The prefecture said: 'A French frigate accompanied it as it headed south to enter the Mediterranean or sail along the African coast, as Russian units from the Northern Fleet [based in Severomorsk] or the Baltic Fleet [in Kaliningrad] regularly do. 'In general, Russian submarines do not hide because they know [we] are aware of their presence.' 'Only France dispatched a ship, but the information 'was passed on to allies', as required by protocol.' The name of the submarine has not been disclosed but it appears to be a conventional diesel-electric attack submarine, such as those of the Kilo-class, which are produced in large numbers by Russia. Breton fishermen are wary of clashing with submarines since the sinking of the Bugaled Breizh trawler on Jan 15 2004, which caused the death of all five crew members. For years, the cause of the sinking was thought to be a collision with a Western submarine, but an inquest in 2021 found that the vessel was likely to have sunk because of a snagging of its equipment on the seabed, which forced it to stop and take on water. The trawler sank in the waters off Lizard Point, not far from the area where the Belenos was operating on June 28. The incident came as a French admiral told MPs that a ghost fleet of boats used to transport petrol in circumvention of sanctions may number 'around 900 ships'. Admiral Benoit de Guibert, the maritime prefect for the Channel and the North Sea, said: 'The state's action is primarily to keep a particularly close watch on this fleet, which is estimated to consist of around 900 ships, including a dozen that are tracked daily in the English Channel.' The clandestine fleet 'does not only concern Russian interests, but also those of other countries such as Iran and North Korea', he told MPs. His assessment came after it emerged that a Russian warship disguised itself using a fake ID signal while travelling through the English Channel with two sanctioned oil tankers. The Boikiy – a corvette armed with guided missiles – broadcast the fake ID code as it passed through the Channel earlier this month, according to the BBC. It travelled alongside two vessels known to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' – a network of tankers whose ownership can be obscured and are used to transport sanctioned oil products. It is thought that recent Western moves against the shadow fleet may have prompted Moscow to use its military to protect the tankers. Last month, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet flew past a shadow fleet vessel and entered Estonian airspace after the country attempted to intercept the ship, which was suspected of carrying sanctioned oil. Dmitry Gorenburg, a senior research scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses, told the BBC: 'The action seems designed to deter the UK and other Nato states from attempting to board and, or, seize these vessels, since the presence of a military escort heightens the risk of confrontation and further escalation.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Euronews
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Here's everything you need to know about Iran's naval power
As attention turns to how Iran might respond to the recent U.S. strikes, a key question is the extent to which it can target American interests in Gulf waters. Despite the ongoing confrontation, Iran's navy has so far played no visible role in the conflict with Israel. This raises the question: is the regime in Tehran leveraging its naval fleet, and what capabilities does it actually possess? While Iran is often seen as a primarily continental power, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman represent both its first and last lines of defense. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran has worked to build a layered naval structure divided between the regular army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), combining larger warships and smaller attack boats, conventional submarines, and drones. Though Iran's navy is not capable of competing with the world's major naval powers, it has developed a specialized force based on asymmetric warfare, indigenous technology, and strategic deployment ensuring it remains a constant threat to any hostile move in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian Navy (IRIN) is the official branch responsible for operating the country's regular naval fleet, including submarines and larger warships. It comprises over 18,500 personnel and more than 100 vessels, including ships and submarines. Its operations span both the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea, focusing on protecting Iran's territorial waters, securing vital shipping lanes, and deterring any violations of Iranian sovereignty. According to Global Firepower's 2024 report, Iran's navy ranks 37th out of 145 naval forces worldwide. While this position does not place it among the global superpowers, it reflects the growth of Iran's naval capabilities despite international sanctions and technological constraints. The ranking suggests that Iran maintains a capable medium-sized naval force, strong enough to assert its presence within its regional sphere of influence. The most prominent feature of the fleet is its considerable diversity, which includes: Perhaps the most notable component of Iran's fleet is its submarine force, which includes between 19 and 27 submarines. Among them are three Tareq-class (Kilo-class) diesel-electric submarines, which have been used in strategic operations such as mine-laying and cruise missile launches. Iran also has two Fateh-class submarines and a large number of Ghadir-class mini-submarines, which are manoeuvrable in shallow waters. Although Tehran does not currently possess any nuclear-powered submarines, it has been pursuing this goal for years. In 2018, Iranian officials announced plans to build nuclear-powered submarines, but technology and international sanctions remain a barrier to realising this ambition. Iran's diving fleet does possess a collection of units with relatively advanced capability: Iran is seeking to improve the capabilities of these submarines by installing air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, which will increase their ability to stay underwater for longer periods of time and give them greater operational capability. Iran's naval bases are spread across two geographical regions: North (Caspian Sea) and South (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman). Each base plays a different role, from manufacturing to logistical support for combat operations. In addition to these bases, there are IRGC-specific bases, such as the Sirik base near the Strait of Hormuz, and the Abu Musa base on Abu Musa - one of the islands disputed with the UAE - along with Tamb al-Sughra and Tamb al-Kubra. Abu Musa houses missile defence systems and underground fortifications. Unlike the regular fleet, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) relies on a different type of operation, known as asymmetric warfare , which includes the use of fast missile boats, mine-laying, and hit-and-run attacks. This force includes: These forces do not have large ships or submarines, but they are characterised by speed and manoeuvrability, making them a constant threat to any hostile naval presence. Modern equipment and advances in capabilities In August 2024, the Iranian Navy received 2,640 missile and drone systems, including cruise missiles that are untraceable by radars. It also conducted successful cruise missile launch tests from a small submarine, an indication of an evolving offensive capability. In 2023, an Iranian naval group completed a journey that lasted more than eight months, during which it travelled 63,000 kilometres, and reached the Strait of Magellan in a first of its kind. The fleet included the Dana destroyer and the Makran support ship, in a clear message that Iran wants to expand its reach into international waters.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Navy commander steps down over claims of ‘unwanted' sexual behaviour
The commanding officer of a Royal Navy warship that tracks Russian submarines has stepped down after being accused of 'unacceptable sexual behaviour' with a subordinate. Lt-Cdr Martyn Mayger, who commanded HMS Tyne, is under investigation following claims of 'unwanted' behaviour. It comes just a week after Adml Sir Ben Key, the First Sea Lord, stepped down following allegations of a relationship with a female colleague under his command. Lt-Cdr Mayger has stood down while the investigation takes place, The Times reported. He assumed command of HMS Tyne in February. Further details of the allegations, which are being investigated by the Defence Serious Crime Command, have not been disclosed. The warship is responsible for patrolling the coasts of Britain and northern Europe, monitoring Russian task groups in the English Channel and protecting critical infrastructure such as undersea cables. Last week it tracked a Russian submarine in the Channel as part of a Nato effort to monitor Moscow's activity in European waters. It shadowed Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar as it made its surfaced journey back to Russia from the eastern Mediterranean. HMS Tyne's executive officer has now been placed in temporary command. Sir Ben remains under investigation in connection with separate allegations made against him. The First Sea Lord, a married father-of-three, is alleged to have had a 'consensual' extramarital affair with a junior female colleague. As a serving member of the military he is facing accusations that he has breached the Navy's 'service test', which prohibits relationships between commanders and their subordinates. Sir Ben has been told to step back from all duties while the investigation is ongoing. Vice-Adml Sir Martin Connell, the Second Sea Lord, has taken temporary command in his place. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'We can confirm that a member of the Armed Forces is under investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command in respect of these allegations. 'As the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further. 'We have a zero-tolerance approach to criminal and inappropriate behaviour. Our people can be assured that should they raise any allegation, they will be fully supported, and the matter investigated, with appropriate action taken as required.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Royal Navy warship tracks Putin's submarine lurking in the English Channel
HMS Tyne shadowed Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar as it made a surfaced journey back to Russia from the eastern Med, the Royal Navy says, amid ongoing tensions with Vladimir Putin's nation A Royal Navy warship has tracked a Russian sub in the Channel amid ongoing tensions with Moscow. As part of a NATO mission, HMS Tyne shadowed Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar as it made a surfaced journey back to Russia from the eastern Med. The Portsmouth-based patrol vessel intercepted Krasnodar when it entered the English Channel near the French coast. HMS Tyne reported "on every move as it made its eastward journey before handing over duties to allies as the submarine left UK waters", the Royal Navy said. Earlier in its journey, the Krasnodar was tracked by a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron deployed with the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in the Atlantic. The exact timing of events is not clear. Defence minister Luke Pollard said: 'Our sailors acted swiftly and decisively to a potential Russian threat, and I pay tribute to their dedication, courage and professionalism.' HMS Tyne's Operations Officer, Lieutenant Bailey Denyer, added: 'Activations like the one we've seen on this patrol to track Krasnodar are our bread and butter – defending UK sovereignty and that of our NATO allies is at the very heart of what the Royal Navy does.' Once responsibility for the Moscow sub had been handed over, the Royal Navy said 'HMS Tyne was quickly back on new tasking to shadow Russian Steregushchiy-class corvette Boikiy as it headed westward from the Baltic Sea, through the busy Dover Strait'. Later, Tyne and 815 Naval Air Squadron were said to have monitored the corvette's return journey to the Baltic alongside three merchant ships. Led by flagship HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's CSG is operating alongside allies and partners in the Med before continuing to the Indo Pacific. Late last month, it emerged Royal Navy warships had tracked and monitored Russian ships in British waters. It comes as Vladimir Putin today marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany – with China 's leader Xi Jinping by his side. The Russian dictator attended a massive military parade on Red Square, commemorating his country's Victory Day. In a show of support after being isolated over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Xi Jinping. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also attended the parade, part of efforts by Moscow to project its influence on the world stage. The Second World War is a rare event in Russia's divisive history under Communist rule revered by all political groups. The Kremlin has used that sentiment to encourage national pride and underline Russia's position as a world power. A staggering 27 million people were lost by the Soviet Union in what it calls the Great Patriotic War from 1941-45. The enormous sacrifice has left a deep scar in the national psyche. But this year festivities were overshadowed by Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and severe disruptions at the capital's airports. Russian flag carrier Aeroflot cancelled more than 100 flights to and from Moscow on Wednesday, and delayed around 140 others as the military repelled repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital. Russian authorities tightened security ahead of the parade and mobile phone internet outages were reported amid electronic countermeasures aimed at foiling more potential drone attacks. Putin declared a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire starting on Wednesday to coincide with the Victory Day celebrations. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after annexing Crimea in 2014.
