UK CALLS FOR A STRONGER ROYAL NAVY AS RUSSIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY INTENSIFIES
The United Kingdom must strengthen the Royal Navy and prepare to defend the Atlantic amid growing Russian military activity, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has said.
Jenkins called for more warships and autonomous systems to increase Britain’s maritime combat capabilities, warning that “the greatest threat to our security today is Russia” and urging the UK to “rediscover what it means to be a maritime nation.”
The strategic importance extends beyond naval power. The Atlantic remains a vital route for moving North American forces and supplies to Europe during a major conflict, while undersea cables and energy infrastructure are critical to Western economies.
Britain is increasingly looking toward a fleet combining conventional warships with surface drones and autonomous underwater systems. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how unmanned systems can be used for surveillance and attacks against conventional naval forces.
London’s broader concern is that Russia continues to develop its submarine capabilities and long-range weapons, making the protection of the Atlantic and other maritime areas a growing priority for the UK and its allies.