Warships escorting other countries’ warships through or close to their waters is an historic naval task. Doing so demonstrates two things. First, that you know where they are. Second, that in the unlikely event of things escalating, you can deal with it. It’s posturing, really, but it absolutely should not be dismissed as it is a vital part of navies’ efforts to stop the fight before it starts: deterrence. 

The problem is that, when it comes to escorting Russian warships past the UK, frigates and destroyers are the only ships that can potentially deliver both halves of this package. Put bluntly, Royal Fleet Auxiliaries (RFA), patrol vessels and minehunters – all of which are very lightly armed at best – cannot do this job properly. The effect they have is less because they are not armed to the level required to deliver the second part of the task.