In a chilling revelation, Britain’s naval dominance in the Atlantic is teetering on the edge, as Russia’s underwater ambitions threaten to tip the balance.
Britain is dangerously close to losing control of the Atlantic to Russia for the first time since the end of World War II, according to a stark warning issued by the first sea lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, reports The Times.
Speaking at a conference in London, Jenkins emphasized the urgent need for the Royal Navy to transform rapidly and secure the support of Nato allies to keep pace with the growing threat of underwater attacks.
Despite the immense cost and loss of life resulting from their “egregious illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Russia has poured “billions” into bolstering its maritime capabilities, particularly the northern fleet.
This investment has led to a 30 per cent increase in Russian incursions into British waters over the past two years, including the “visible presence” of spy ships like Yantar, which is suspected of mapping underwater cables.
The urgent need for transformation and ally support
As the threat from Russia continues to grow, Jenkins emphasized the critical importance of rapid transformation within the Royal Navy and the unwavering support of Nato allies. “The advantage that we have enjoyed in the Atlantic since the end of the Cold War, the Second World War, is at risk. We are holding on, but not by much,” he warned.
“There is no room for complacency. Our would-be opponents are investing billions. We have to step up or we will lose that advantage. We cannot let that happen,” Jenkins added, underlining the high stakes involved in maintaining Britain’s dominance in the Atlantic.
He warned Russia is known to have thrown “billions” in its maritime forces, “despite the millions of lives and the cost of their egregious illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
Royal Navy facing challenges amid growing threats
Jenkins, who took the helm of the navy in May, acknowledged that the service has been grappling with various issues for years, including ships and submarines being unavailable for operations and difficulties in recruiting enough sailors, although the latter is slowly improving.
The navy’s aging four Vanguard-class submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles, are forced to remain at sea for extended periods due to a shortage of available boats. Meanwhile, none of the five Astute-class attack submarines are believed to be currently deployed because of refits and other problems, further highlighting the challenges faced by the Royal Navy, reports The Times.
The navy’s aging four Vanguard-class submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles, are forced to remain at sea for extended periods due to a shortage of available boats. Meanwhile, none of the five Astute-class attack submarines are believed to be currently deployed because of refits and other problems, further highlighting the challenges faced by the Royal Navy.
Russian spy ship Yantar ‘just the tip of the iceberg’
Referring to the threat posed by Russia, Jenkins emphasized that the presence of the spy ship Yantar in British waters was merely the visible portion of a much larger problem. “Yantar was only the visible bit we see in the public, but it’s not the bit that worries me the most,” he said, adding, “It’s what’s going on under the waves that most concerns me.”
To combat the growing threat in “the underwater battlespace,” Jenkins revealed that the UK is investing in cutting-edge technologies such as autonomous underwater gliders, which can detect enemy submarines, and the “Atlantic Bastion,” a network of autonomous sensors that will serve as the nation’s “eyes and ears” beneath the waves. Contracts for these innovative systems are set to be issued next year, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to maintaining its advantage in the Atlantic.
Royal Navy’s long-standing challenges
Since taking over as head of the navy in May, Jenkins has inherited a service that has been plagued by problems for years. The Royal Navy has struggled with ships and submarines being unavailable for operations and has faced difficulties in recruiting enough sailors, although this situation is slowly improving.
The Royal Navy’s four aging Vanguard-class submarines, which carry Trident nuclear missiles, are forced to remain at sea for extended periods due to a shortage of available boats. This has put immense pressure on the fleet and its crew. Furthermore, none of the five Astute-class attack submarines are believed to be currently deployed because of refits and other problems, further highlighting the challenges faced by the Royal Navy in maintaining its operational readiness.
