Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleKate DevlinWednesday 29 April 2026 14:01 BSTRelated: UK issues stark warning to Putin over Russian submarines spotted in North AtlanticThe head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has warned that the UK must take more risks to “stay ahead of our enemies” and invest in new technologies to counter increasing Russian incursions into British waters.Sir Gwyn said that Russian ship sightings have “jumped” by a third in two years, leading to dozens of UK responses last year, and emphasised the accelerating pace of technological change.He stressed the critical importance of sea control for national prosperity and survival, citing recent Middle East events that led to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.His warning follows accusations from a former Nato secretary general that Sir Keir Starmer's “corrosive complacency” is jeopardising UK security.Sir Gwyn also announced a successful Navy-wide wargame, which demonstrated that a new 'hybrid' approach significantly increased war-fighting capability, including a threefold boost in missile capacity.In fullUK ‘must take more risks to stay ahead of our enemies’ as Russian ships in British waters soarThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in