"Akula" Chase.. Britain Leads Naval Alliance to Isolate Russia in Northern Waters

In early April 2026, the British Royal Navy moved to track a Russian nuclear submarine of the "Akula" class and two other submarines linked to Russian intelligence, suspected of engaging in espionage operations on underwater cables off the European coasts.

This was not an isolated incident, but the visible tip of an iceberg of escalating tensions. On the twenty-ninth of the same month, Admiral Sir Gwyn Jenkins, Commander of the Royal Navy, announced before the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) the framework of the new alliance: "Family of Fleets," a multinational naval force of ten nations, whose mission is to redraw the equation of naval deterrence in Northern Europe.

An Alliance Born from Threat

The ten nations under the umbrella of the "Joint Expeditionary Force" (JEF) have already signed a declaration of intent to establish this "multinational naval force," which includes the Scandinavian and Baltic states, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom as the main driver.

According to "Politico" magazine, this new structure aims to complement what NATO provides, not replace it, with the ability to respond faster in naval emergencies.

Jenkins described the vision, stating: "A force designed to fight immediately if necessary, with real capabilities, real war plans, and real integration," revealing that the official agreement defining the operational frameworks will be signed before the end of the current year, according to British media reports.

The Numbers Speak Volumes

Jenkins presented the attendees with a number summarizing British concern: Russian incursions into British waters increased by approximately one-third over the past two years (2024-2026).

Alongside the "Akula" chase, Russia continued to escort sanctioned oil tankers through the Dover Strait, defying the public warning issued by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 25.

Faced with this situation, Jenkins decided to condense the concept of the threat into one sentence before the audience: "Russia remains the most serious threat to our security, even amidst the crisis in the Middle East. This is why the Royal Navy must be ready every day, every month, every year."

Joint Frigates and Hybrid Fleet

Operationally, the alliance is centered on a core axis: Type 26 frigates specialized in anti-submarine warfare. Norway has confirmed the purchase of at least five frigates of this model, while the Royal Navy is preparing to receive eight additional units over the next decade, allowing for the formation of a joint fleet of 13 frigates with unified design, armament, and training.

However, Admiral Jenkins goes beyond frigates towards a broader concept: the "Hybrid Navy," which integrates traditional vessels with uncrewed systems, both surface and subsurface. The Admiral describes it as an "inevitable transformation" in confronting Russia, which is expanding its naval capabilities and escalating its activity.

The Broader European Context

The British initiative does not exist in a vacuum; rather, it comes amidst the broader European wave of rearmament, which has been disrupted by the Iranian war and US President Donald Trump's threats to withdraw from NATO.

Germany is also restructuring its naval forces, as observed by the French magazine "L'Express," and the Baltic states are increasing their defense budgets.

The overall picture indicates that Europe is not waiting for Washington to fill the naval void in the North, but is slowly but steadily building what could become the "European Naval NATO," before its name officially becomes so.