Topic analysis

Britain to create joint naval force with nine European countries as ‘complement’ to Nato

Britain, alongside nine European members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), has agreed to form a unified multinational maritime force as a complement to NATO, aimed at deterring Russian threats to northern 'open sea borders', announced Royal Navy chief Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins. Jenkins emphasized Russia remains the gravest security threat despite ongoing Middle East tensions, noting the force will be ready to fight immediately with integrated capabilities and plans, while addressing the Royal Navy's recent availability challenges from past underinvestment and outlining plans to deploy uncrewed escort ships in the next two years.