UK Leads Northern Navies Initiative with 9 Partners

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, head of the Royal Navy, announced on Wednesday the formation of a new multinational naval force involving the United Kingdom and nine northern European partners to bolster defenses against rising Russian maritime activity. Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute in London, Jenkins revealed that members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force signed a statement of intent last week to develop the initiative, known as the Northern Navies Initiative.

The force, which complements NATO rather than replacing it, includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. Command will be based at the UK's Northwood headquarters outside London. Jenkins described the effort as creating a "family of allied fleets, something not seen for decades," with nations sharing sailors, spare parts, ammunition, crewed ships, and unmanned vessels to enhance collective capabilities.

Jenkins cited a nearly one-third increase in Russian incursions into British waters over the past two years, noting that the Royal Navy responded dozens of times in 2025 alone to surface vessels. He expressed particular concern over Russia's renewed...