The Russian submarine and its tugboat Altay were tracked by Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker Tidesurge carrying a specialist Merlin helicopter aboard, as part of a three-day operation.
It said this was part of the government’s commitment to “safeguard the integrity of UK waters and protect national security”, the Royal Navy said.
Capt James Allen, commanding officer of RFA Tidesurge, said the vessel had provided “a show of presence and deterrence as we transited from the North Sea to the English Channel”.
The navy continued to shadow the Russian submarine and its tugboat until it approached the north-west of France, at which point tracking of it was handed over to a Nato ally.
