Britain will create joint naval force with nine European countries to strengthen defense cooperation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBritain has announced the creation of a joint naval force with nine European countries to complement NATO.<\/p>\n
Britain has agreed to create a unified naval force with European countries to deter future Russian threats from the “open sea” in the north, the head of the Royal Navy has announced.<\/p>\n
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said that despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, where the Strait of Hormuz is closed following the US-Israeli war in Iran, “Russia remains the most serious threat to our security.”<\/p>\n
In a speech, the First Marine said the 10 members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) had last week signed a statement of intent to create a “multinational maritime force” to act as a “complement to NATO.”<\/p>\n
Military cooperation between the US and Britain is at a low level due to differences between the two countries over the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n
The US has said it wants help in forcing the strait and has criticized British and French discussion on creating defensive patrols after the war ends, calling it “foolish”.<\/p>\n
This will not include the US, as President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Britain for not actively supporting the Iran war, at one point describing Royal Navy aircraft carriers as “toys”.<\/p>\n
The JEF includes the Netherlands, all five Nordic and three Baltic states, with the UK as its largest troop member. Canada is also considering joining as some NATO members refine their response to growing Russian aggression.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the UK said Russian spy submarines had been spotted engaging in covert surveillance of undersea infrastructure around Britain.<\/p>\n
The aim of the new Marine force, which will be “commanded as and when required” from UK military headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, will be to train and prepare simultaneously.<\/p>\n
“It will be designed to fight quickly when the need arises, with real capabilities, real war plans and real integration,” Jenkins said, although the Navy had struggled to provide a warship at the start of the war in Iran.<\/p>\n
Jenkins said the Middle East crisis has put the Navy in the spotlight. “Were we prepared enough? Can we fight today, and if so, who?” He said the service had an overall action plan.<\/p>\n
Naval sources have said that the availability crisis at the start of the war was caused by a lack of prior investment and highlighted the impact of cutbacks in shipbuilding by previous governments.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n