Britain has committed to forming a joint naval force with nine European partners aimed at deterring potential Russian threats along what it describes as the northern “open sea border,” the head of the Royal Navy has confirmed.
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins stated that, even amid the ongoing Middle East crisis (where the Strait of Hormuz currently remains shut following the US-Israeli conflict in Iran), “Russia remains the most serious threat to our security.”
In a recent address, the First Sea Lord explained that the 10 members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) had signed a statement of intent last week to establish a “multinational maritime force” designed to function as a “complement to Nato.”
The proposed force would exclude the United States, for Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticized the UK for not offering active support during the bombing of Iran, at one stage dismissing the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as “toys.”
Indeed, defense cooperation between the US and the UK has reached a low point, with disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has indicated it wants assistance in reopening the strait and has called British and French proposals to set up defensive patrols after the conflict “silly.”
The JEF thus consists of the Netherlands, the five Nordic countries, and the three Baltic states, with the UK providing its largest military contribution.
Canada is also weighing potential membership as some Nato countries adjust their response to increasing Russian assertiveness.
Earlier this month, the UK reported that Russian intelligence submarines had been tracked carrying out what appeared to be covert monitoring of undersea infrastructure around Britain.
“Russian incursions into our waters have increased by nearly a third over the past two years,” Jenkins said, adding that he considers the UK to have an “open sea border with Russia to the north.”
The new maritime force, which could be directed from the UK’s military headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, is intended to train and prepare jointly. It would also be “ready to fight at once if necessary, with real capabilities, concrete war plans, and full integration,” Jenkins noted—although the navy struggled to deploy a warship promptly at the outset of the Iran conflict.
More than three weeks passed between a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri in Cyprus and the deployment of HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean. The destroyer later had to dock to resolve issues with its toilet and water systems.
Jenkins acknowledged that the Middle East situation had placed the navy under scrutiny. “Were we sufficiently prepared? Can we fight today, and if so, with what?” he asked, adding that the service does have an overarching operational plan.
Naval sources have attributed the initial shortage of available vessels to years of underinvestment, pointing in particular to the impact of cuts to shipbuilding programmes by previous governments.
Jenkins, a former Royal Marine and special forces commander, added that “uncrewed escort ships”—large maritime drones—would begin operating alongside UK warships within the next two years, as part of a push to expand capability while reducing costs.
At the same time, although the UK has warned it could seize Russia-linked “shadow fleet” tankers used to export sanctioned oil, it has yet to do so, unlike some other European states that have successfully carried out such actions.
Russia has deployed frigates to escort sanctioned vessels through the Strait of Dover, disregarding a public warning issued by Keir Starmer on 25 March. Since then, 98 tankers subject to sanctions have passed through British waters.
