Shocking moment footage released British Navy ship collided with Russian submarine
Leonard T. Koonce
2 min read
It was at this point that a Royal Navy warship collided with a Russian submarine while patrolling the North Atlantic Ocean:
HMS Northumberland was looking for the submarine after it disappeared from sight of the ship in the Arctic Circle shortly before the incident.
The submarine struck the warship’s sonar – equipment towed hundreds of meters behind it – which was fitted with sensitive hydrophones for listening underwater.
The incident, which occurred in late 2020, was captured by a Channel 5 documentary crew filming a television series titled Warship: Life at Sea.
The Department of Defense (MoD) has since confirmed the collision between the submarine and the warship, a UK defense source telling the BBC it did not appear to have been deliberate.
Questioning whether this was a premeditated incident, former Commander Tom Sharpe said: “The question is whether it was a deliberate act or a accident.
“Detecting ships and submarines is not an exact science. It could have been a tight pass gone bad.
The collision reportedly damaged HMS Northumberland’s sonar, with the ship returning to a port in Scotland to replace damaged equipment.
The Defense Ministry, which usually does not comment on operations, was forced to do so on this occasion because the incident was filmed.
A spokesperson said: “At the end of 2020, a Russian submarine followed by HMS Northumberland made contact with its towed sonar.
“The Royal Navy regularly tracks foreign ships and submarines in order to defend the UK.
A Navy source reportedly said she thought it was a “million-for-one event”, explaining: “The submarine crew would have been kidding themselves.
“They would have heard a very sudden and unexpected noise like a fork being dragged over a cheese grater.”
Foreign Minister Liz Truss told MPs: “Any Russian military incursion would be a huge strategic mistake.
“Russia is the aggressor here – we urge them to end their malicious activities and stick to what they have agreed to.
“The only way forward is for Russia to defuse itself and embark on the path of diplomacy.
“The free world must rise to meet this moment.”
