How Much Does It Cost to Shadow a Russian Warship? Britain's Navy Faces a Growing Bill

HMS Iron Duke shadows the Russian frigate Neustrashimy during an earlier transit through the English Channel, showcasing the Royal Navy's routine monitoring of foreign ships near UK waters. (Credit: Reuters)

Shadowing a Russian warship can cost the Royal Navy tens of thousands of pounds a day before accounting for aircraft, helicopters, and intelligence support. While the Ministry of Defence does not publish the cost of individual operations, official figures suggest deploying a River-class Offshore Patrol Vessel such as HMS Tyne costs around £36,000 a day on average to operate and maintain.

That reality came into sharp focus on Monday after the Russian frigate Neustrashimy conducted a 30-minute live-fire artillery exercise around 46 miles south of Plymouth. The vessel informed HMS Tyne of its intention to carry out gunnery practice before opening fire in international waters, prompting continued monitoring by British forces.