By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The United Kingdom is facing the potential loss of its Atlantic dominance to Russia for the first time since World War II, according to Royal Navy Commander, First Sea Lord Ben Key Jenkins. Increased Russian naval activity, including the presence of intelligence-gathering vessels and suspected underwater actions, is putting significant pressure on UK maritime capabilities. Rapid transformation and strong support from NATO allies are needed to counter this threat. The UK is responding with programs like Atlantic Bastion to bolster undersea defenses, although challenges remain regarding ship and submarine availability, and maintaining readiness.
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Britain’s position in the Atlantic is being questioned by the Navy. It’s a statement that raises eyebrows, especially when considering the current global landscape and the state of naval powers. The idea that Britain is on the verge of losing its dominance to Russia feels like a headline designed to grab attention. Frankly, the notion of Britain ever being dominant in the Atlantic in the modern era, compared to other major players, is questionable, especially considering the current Russian naval capabilities.
The realities of military spending are always complex. There’s a strong argument to be made for supporting Ukraine, providing them with the resources to directly target and dismantle Russian military assets. It’s a cost-effective strategy, potentially more efficient than building new warships from scratch, especially when considering that Russia has a long way to travel just to reach the Atlantic. Their main naval base is in the Kola peninsula, making any Atlantic venture a lengthy and heavily monitored journey. Their movements are closely watched.
It is worth remembering that the UK hasn’t historically dominated the Atlantic, certainly not in the same way as the United States. Also, given how the UK has been operating in recent times. You have to wonder whether the UK’s Navy has been neglected. The fact is, a lot of the ships that are around today were ordered under a previous government. Even more stark, during a recent 14-year period, there appears to have been a failure to order even a single warship.
The Navy does have some remarkable ships, however. The problem is that they are very expensive to build, maintain, and keep at the forefront of technology. Type 45 destroyers cost a lot of money and the Type 26 Frigate, and Type 31 Frigates are also expensive. This means that building a modern fleet is a massive financial undertaking.
Public perception plays a significant role in defence spending. Raising taxes or cutting other budgets to fund more warships is not always a popular move, but the need to maintain a strong military presence is vital. The UK should focus on where it can exert influence most effectively. The Russian Navy’s performance against Ukraine, a nation without its own dedicated naval force, offers a clear indication of their capabilities. There’s a strong argument to be made that the Russian Navy is not capable of projecting power.
The Royal Navy may be smaller than in its heyday, but it is well-trained, and its ships are generally operational. However, the Chief of the Navy is asking for a cash injection to bolster its capabilities. A bigger navy isn’t necessarily better. Modern warfare is changing. Long-range missiles and drones can sink a fleet before it even knows what’s happening, so the priorities are shifting.
The assertion that Britain is losing dominance to Russia is, frankly, a bit of a stretch. The US has long held the dominant position in the Atlantic. Even if Russia were to become a stronger naval power, their ships have a number of difficulties in making it to the Atlantic, let alone dominating it.
The challenges facing the Royal Navy are well-documented. Ships are expensive, maintenance is costly, and the decommissioning of certain vessels, such as the Albion and Ocean, highlights a shrinking fleet. Furthermore, problems with the carriers, and the struggles of the SSBN fleet, paint a worrying picture. It’s hard to imagine that Britain can dream of Atlantic dominance any longer.