Overview
- A Russian naval support ship lingered off Suffolk near the Galloper wind farm, which security experts say could serve as a forward base to place armed guards on Russia’s “shadow fleet” tankers that dodge sanctions.
- An RAF P‑8 Poseidon patrol plane and a Royal Navy helicopter tracked the vessel, signaling concern that armed teams on tankers would make any UK boarding far riskier for sailors.
- This development follows last week’s Ministry of Defence disclosure that it tracked an Akula attack submarine and two GUGI spy subs near UK undersea cables, with Norway helping maintain contact over roughly a month.
- The MoD says UK waters are monitored around the clock and denies needing French help, but defence sources report planners have explored French support for Royal Marines boardings and surface overwatch.
- Reports of only one submarine and two frigates ready for immediate use have intensified calls to publish the long‑delayed Defence Investment Plan and to expand near‑term measures such as extra P‑8 funding and the Atlantic Bastion effort to better guard seabed cables and pipelines.