UK defence chief to Putin: “We’re hunting your submarines”

Defence Secretary John Healey warned Russian President Vladimir Putin: “We’re hunting your submarines,” citing a 30% rise in Russian vessels threatening UK waters.

According to the BBC, the Ministry of Defence says Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic has returned to Cold War levels, affecting Europe beyond Ukraine.

The RAF and Royal Navy are increasing patrols, with missions flown almost daily, often supported by NATO allies. The BBC observed an active mission aboard a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with advanced cameras, sensors, and sonar buoys for tracking surface ships and submarines.

Healey said the aircraft allows the UK to monitor Russian activity, highlighting past operations such as tracking the Russian spy ship Yantar near undersea cables in the Irish Sea. The P-8 carries 129 active and passive sonar buoys, and while capable of deploying torpedoes, none were used on the observed flight.

RAF crews, with US and Norwegian partners, tracked a Russian submarine shadowing the USS Gerald R. Ford in August. Finding submarines remains difficult, but crews rely on acoustic signatures and an extensive network of sensors.

Germany is expanding its role, deploying eight P-8s and training alongside UK personnel. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius joined the flight, emphasising the strategic importance of the North Atlantic and Russian nuclear submarines. Germany plans to fly P-8s from RAF Lossiemouth, purchase UK-made Sting Ray torpedoes, and collaborate with the UK on cybersecurity.

Both Healey and Pistorius, who have led European arms support for Ukraine, stressed the threat of Russian hybrid warfare, including disinformation and attacks on undersea infrastructure. Pistorius said: “It’s time to get more aware of what’s going on.”

By Tamilla Hasanova