Russian naval activity near UK waters climbs 30% in two years, UK MOD says

The UK Ministry of Defense (UK MOD) has reported a 30% increase in Russian naval vessels threatening British waters over the past two years.

In response to the rising activity, the Royal Navy plans to send its Carrier Strike Group to the North Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region.

Known as Operation Firecrest and led by aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the largest warship in the Royal Navy, the UK will deploy the strike group across the North Atlantic and Arctic. It will include Royal Navy warships and RAF fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to bolster defense and security. 

UK officials say the move is intended to reinforce collective deterrence and enhance coordination with allies across the northern maritime approaches. Elements of the mission are expected to operate within the framework of NATO operations in the region, reflecting growing concern among allied navies over the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and freedom of navigation.

This also comes with growing concern over Russian operations in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap and the increased risk to critical undersea cables and pipelines, it was highlighted.

Defense Secretary John Healey said the increased activity in northern waters underscores the need for a sustained allied presence, describing the mission as part of broader efforts to strengthen transatlantic security cooperation.

The deployment will include activity under NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, launched this week. Operation Firecrest will involve thousands of personnel from all three services of the Armed Forces.

The Carrier Strike Group will exercise alongside NATO’s Standing Naval Maritime Group 1, itself being led by the UK, with HMS Dragon acting as the command ship of the NATO maritime group throughout 2026.

Parts of the deployment will fall under NATO command, including close cooperation with operational headquarters Joint Force Command Norfolk, which is set to be under the command of a British officer for the first time. 

The deployment will be carried out alongside key allies, including the United States, Canada, and Joint Expeditionary Force nations, building on the UK’s growing defense cooperation in the High North.

The Carrier Strike Group will also sail across the Atlantic to visit a US port, with US jets also expected to operate from the flight deck of HMS Prince of Wales.  

This reinforces the UK’s commitment to High North security and builds on the Defense Secretary’s commitment to double the number of UK troops deployed to Norway, from 1,000 to 2,000.