- WIADOMOŚCI
The United Kingdom is forming a new maritime alliance in Europe
The United Kingdom aims to establish a new international framework. The goal of the “Northern Navies” initiative is to effectively counter Russia in the Arctic region and beyond.
The United Kingdom presented a plan to create a new European alliance. The announcement was made by Gen. Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Royal Navy, during a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
Responding to Russia
The purpose of the alliance is to strengthen the defense of Northwestern Europe and the Arctic against actions by the Russian Federation. “The need for us to provide a real and meaningful deterrent remains critical. Simply maintaining the ‘status quo of capabilities’ will not be enough (…)” said Gen. Jenkins, emphasizing that since 2022 and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the need for a significant reinforcement of defense has become essential.
Who will co-create this new framework? The alliance is to be based on the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), established in 2014 and operating independently of NATO structures. It comprises forces from ten countries: the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway. According to Gen. Jenkins’s concept, the alliance will “make use of shared systems and platforms, digital networks, logistics, and stockpiles.”
“The partnership among Northern European nations must now deepen and evolve. If we are to create the collective fighting force necessary to ensure conventional deterrence along our open maritime border with Russia,” added the British commander. Full operational readiness of the alliance is expected by 2029.
