Senior defence sources have disclosed that the Royal Navy will be compelled to request French assistance in intercepting Russian ships operating in British waters, as the fleet struggles to fulfil its operational requirements.
Naval planners have revealed that they "need help" from France to address the growing Russian threat, with Vladimir Putin staging increasingly bold demonstrations of military power around the UK.
According to sources, the Navy currently has merely a single submarine and two frigates ready for immediate deployment.
"We simply don't have enough warship capability to secure the coastline without the support of the French," a senior military source stated.
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"If politicians say we can do it on our own they are mistaken. We need help," they told the Mail.
Staff officers at Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth have been developing contingency plans to counter Russian shadow fleet tankers since Sir Keir Starmer announced last month that Britain would board and seize sanctioned vessels.
These planners have determined that French support is necessary for Royal Marines boarding operations and surface vessel oversight.
Last week it emerged that the Kremlin deployed three submarines to waters north of Britain in an apparent scheme to damage undersea cables, whilst HMS Dragon, the country's sole available destroyer, was stationed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Senior defence forces have claimed that the Royal Navy made need to ask for help from the French
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Mr Putin further challenged the Prime Minister's warnings by dispatching the Admiral Grigorovich warship to accompany two ghost fleet vessels through the Channel.
The French Navy possesses approximately 120 ships, some 45 more than Britain's fleet, with 25 frigates and destroyers that are more modern than their British counterparts.
Reform leader Nigel Farage condemned the prospect of seeking French military assistance as "an act of national humiliation".
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused the government of prioritising "benefits over bullets" and described the absence of published defence funding plans as a "national scandal".
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The claims come after the Kremlin deployed three submarines to waters north of Britain
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In a speech, she claimed ministers were "woefully unprepared" to defend the country, adding: "We have grown fat on welfare, prioritising benefits over bullets. Britain has overspent the peace dividend that followed the Cold War."
Former Tory defence minister Tobias Ellwood argued Britain required "a whole new approach to maritime defence not a Nineties tribute band".
Defence Secretary John Healey acknowledged last week that he desired additional Treasury funding, stating: "Would I like more resources? Yes, I would. Every Defence Secretary would."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "These claims are incorrect. UK waters remain protected and monitored 24/7, and we have the resources needed to keep the UK safe.
"Just this week, we exposed the details of a covert Russian submarine operation, which failed thanks to the work of the UK's Armed Forces
"We continue to enhance plans to protect our cables and pipelines.
"We're providing an extra £100million for vital P8 submarine-hunting aircraft and we've launched the Atlantic Bastion programme to combine the latest autonomous technologies with the very best warships and aircraft to create a British-built hybrid naval force."
A French navy source confirmed Paris "currently has one of the most formidable forward naval presences in Europe" and indicated France possessed the capability to assist if requested.
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