Royal Navy passes Nato leadership role to Turkish Navy during ceremony onboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth

THE Royal Navy has passed on its Nato leadership role to the Turkish Navy during a special ceremony onboard HMS Victory, following a busy year spearheading security operations from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 15th Dec 2022, 16:22 BST
Updated 15th Dec 2022, 16:22 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Royal Navy warships spent nearly 10,000 hours – 60 weeks – on Nato operations in 2022 as the UK led the alliance’s most important naval force.

Commander UK Strike Force, Rear Admiral Rob Pedre, and his predecessor, Vice Admiral Mike Utley, took charge as the alliance carried out its largest planned exercises in the Arctic since the Cold War.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Royal Navy has now passed on responsibility for leading the Nato Response Force (NRF) to Turkey, but UK operations with the alliance will continue unabated.

The Royal Navy hands over responsibility of NRF to the Turkish Navy onboard HMS Victory.The Royal Navy hands over responsibility of NRF to the Turkish Navy onboard HMS Victory.
The Royal Navy hands over responsibility of NRF to the Turkish Navy onboard HMS Victory.
Read More
Royal Navy welcomes return of HMS Queen Elizabeth support ship to action after '...

A handover ceremony on HMS Victory in Portsmouth saw the Nato flag lowered and passed to Turkish Navy chiefs as they take on the command role throughout 2023.

Rear Admiral Pedre said: ‘The Royal Navy has delivered at a crucial time for NATO as it has done throughout the history of the alliance.

‘The prevailing strategic uncertainty across the globe emphasises once again the critical importance of a unified NATO that is ready to protect the security and prosperity of our allies and partners.

The handover comes after Royal Navy warships undertook the equivalent of 60-weeks of Nato operations across 2022.The handover comes after Royal Navy warships undertook the equivalent of 60-weeks of Nato operations across 2022.
The handover comes after Royal Navy warships undertook the equivalent of 60-weeks of Nato operations across 2022.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Throughout 2022, Royal Navy warships, sailors and Royal Marines have been at the forefront of the alliance, working tirelessly not just in our role as the head of the NATO Response Force but across a full range of vital operations.

‘Our work never stops but we now handover responsibility for the NRF to Turkey and wish our close NATO ally every success as they take command for 2023.’

Related topics:Royal NavyNATOHMS VictoryPortsmouth