The First Sea Lord has warned European officials that Britain must "prepare for war if you want peace," as pressure mounts on the Government to rebuild the Royal Navy.
Speaking aboard HMS Prince of Wales in Oslo at the International Sea Power Conference, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins delivered a blunt message: "Prepare for war if you want peace." He added: "We have set out our vision to rebuild the Royal Navy – now is the time for action."
Defence spending plans delayed
Plans to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP have been postponed to next year's spending review, even as warnings circulate about preparing for war within 1,000 days and stockpiling essential goods.
The Navy is reported to be at its smallest in 500 years, with availability issues affecting Trident-armed Vanguard-class submarines among others.
Rising Russian activity
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said Russian naval activity near the UK has risen by 41% this year. The frigate fleet continues to shrink, with Type 23s HMS Iron Duke, Richmond and Chiddingfold all decommissioned this year.
General Sir Gwyn said two new-generation Type 26 frigates are due to enter service within five years, with efforts to speed up their arrival. The Navy has also launched its first autonomous squadron for uncrewed vessels and announced plans for three new mine-hunting motherships.
New investment and strategy
A new UK-led agreement with northern European allies aims to increase regional security, while a £90 million Ministry of Defence investment will deliver drones, sensors and AI systems to the Navy to hunt Russian submarines and protect undersea cables and pipes.
The technology, known as Atlantic Net, is the first phase of the Navy's Atlantic Bastion programme to create a hybrid naval force, operating across the North Atlantic where Russian submarines have been accused of surveying vital infrastructure.
At the Atlantic Future Forum in Oslo, former UK national security adviser Lord Mark Sedwill said NATO should "go on the offensive" against Russia, arguing: "Sometimes the most effective form of defence is to cause a dilemma, it is to go on the offensive." Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rearmament, backed the comments, saying: "Lord Sedwill is right: the UK should consider going on the offensive to impose a real cost of aggression on our adversaries."
