The Army’s budget is facing a £2.6billion shortfall this financial year.
Royal Navy Chief has slammed Rachel Reeves for defence spending cuts (Image: Getty)
Rachel Reeves has been slammed by the head of the Royal Navy, who warned Britain is near losing control of the Atlantic to Russia for the first time since the end of World War II. Speaking at a London conference, the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, urged the Government to “step up” and fund defence to keep up with the growing threat of underwater attacks as he took aim at the Chancellor.
The head of the Royal Navy warned Britain risked losing its advantage in the Atlantic, as Russia continues to spend billions on its capabilities at sea. He said there was “no room for complacency” while Moscow invests heavily in its northern fleet. His comments come after it emerged the Army’s Budget is facing a £2.6billion shortfall this financial year, causing exercises to be cancelled.
Royal Navy chief Sir Gwyn Jenkins said Britain needs to “step up” in its naval dominance (Image: Getty)
In a speech to the International Sea Power conference in London on Monday, Sir Gwyn said there had been a “30% increase in Russian incursion in our waters” just over the last two years.
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.
The activity is most visibly seen in the presence of spy ships like the Yantar operating near UK waters, he said, but warned: “It’s what’s going on under the waves that most concerns me.”
Sir Gwyn said: “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.
“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.
Sir Gwyn Jenkins has taken aim at the Chancellor (Image: PA)
Ahead of the speech, Defence Secretary John Healey had insisted that the UK and its allies are ready to “track and deter” Russian submarines as he revealed plans for a new multi-million pound programme to protect undersea cables and pipeline.
The hybrid naval force, named Atlantic Bastion, will combine autonomous vehicles and AI with warships and aircraft to identify threats to underwater structure and to defend them from interference.
“We know what Putin is doing. We know what Putin is developing,” Mr Healey said.
“We’re able to find them, track them and, if necessary, we are ready with allies to act to deter them.”
A Government spokesperson said: “Earlier this year, the Prime Minister made a historic commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security from 2035.
“This is a generational increase in defence and security spending, underlining the UK’s commitment to national security and honouring our commitment to be a leader in Nato.
“We have announced the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, hitting 2.6% of GDP by 2027, and an extra £5 billion for defence this year alone.
“Over this spending review period, the Government will invest over £270 billion in cash terms in defence, which will ensure no return to the hollowed out and underfunded armed forces of the past.
“We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence, and our landmark Strategic Defence Review sets a vision to make Britain safer, secure at home and strong abroad.”
