Britain to create joint naval force with nine European countries as ‘complement’ to Nato
Britain has announced the creation of a joint naval force with nine European countries as a complement to NATO, aimed at countering Russian threats from the north, according to Royal Navy chief Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins. The multinational maritime force will not include the United States, amid strained UK-US military relations and differing approaches to the Middle East crisis. The initiative, led by the Joint Expeditionary Force, will focus on integrated training, readiness, and potential command from the UK's Northwood headquarters.
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The new multinational maritime force will not include the US, whose president, Donald Trump, has described the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys’ Photograph: LPhot Helayna Birkett/UK MOD Crown copyrightView image in fullscreenThe new multinational maritime force will not include the US, whose president, Donald Trump, has described the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys’ Photograph: LPhot Helayna Birkett/UK MOD Crown copyrightRoyal NavyBritain to create joint naval force with nine European countries as ‘complement’ to NatoRoyal Navy chief says unified naval force will deter future Russian threats from the ‘open sea border’ to the northDan Sabbagh Defence and security editorWed 29 Apr 2026 10.32 EDTLast modified on Wed 29 Apr 2026 10.33 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on…
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