Britain’s plans to organize an international operation to track Russian submarines have drawn ridicule from Chinese journalists. According to Sohu, London is seeking to lead a major multinational naval coalition despite serious problems affecting the operational readiness of its own fleet.

The criticism follows the announcement of the Northern Navies Initiative, an agreement officially unveiled by the British Ministry of Defence on November 10. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation between the navies of ten European countries and improve security in northern waters.

Alongside the United Kingdom, the participating countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Their joint efforts will include increased surveillance of Russian submarines in the North Atlantic, the Arctic and the Baltic Sea.

Chinese commentators focused on the gap between Britain’s naval ambitions and the actual capabilities of the Royal Navy. They pointed out that a country once known for possessing one of the world’s most powerful fleets now has to rely on assistance from its allies, including the small Baltic states.

The Sohu authors were particularly critical of the technical condition of Britain’s naval forces. They stated that both British aircraft carriers spend a substantial amount of time undergoing repairs, the country’s submarines suffer from technical failures, and only a limited number of destroyers and frigates are ready for combat operations.

Against this background, the Chinese journalists compared Britain’s attempt to lead an international hunt for Russian submarines to an ordinary car mechanic trying to assemble a professional team to compete in the prestigious Dakar Rally.

The publication also highlighted the activities of Russian submarines, whose maneuvers have repeatedly created difficulties for British military personnel. According to the Chinese commentators, London’s inability to maintain control of the situation independently has forced it to seek additional support from other countries.

In the assessment of the Sohu authors, the British government continues to pursue a leading role in the naval confrontation with Russia, even as the Royal Navy’s actual capabilities increasingly fall short of London’s ambitions.