Britain warned Russia on Wednesday that it is prepared to respond to any incursion after the Russian spy ship Yantar was detected near U.K. waters north of Scotland.
Defense Secretary John Healey said the vessel had used lasers against pilots of British surveillance aircraft monitoring its movements.
“My message to Russia and to Putin is this: We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar heads south this week, we are ready,” Healey said during a speech in London.
The Russian embassy accused the U.K. of “Russophobia” and “militaristic hysteria,” claiming Moscow has no interest in threatening Britain’s security.
Defense Spending Push Amid Security Tensions
Healey’s warning came as he argued for higher defense spending ahead of next week’s government budget announcement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged significantly increased military funding, citing heightened threats from Russia, China, and Iran—though the government faces budget pressures and a multibillion-pound deficit.
Healey also outlined plans for at least six new munitions factories in Scotland, England, and Wales. The government previously approved £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for the facilities, expected to create 1,000 jobs and ensure a steady supply of explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics for the armed forces.
Why the Yantar Raises UK Concerns
British officials say Yantar, part of the Russian navy, is designed for deep-sea surveillance in peacetime and sabotage during wartime. The U.K. and its allies closely track the ship and work to deter its operations when it nears British territorial waters.
“It is part of a Russian fleet built to threaten our undersea infrastructure and that of our allies,” Healey said, referring to earlier attacks on Baltic Sea pipelines and cables.
This is not the first time Yantar has approached Britain. After a warning last year, the vessel left for the Mediterranean. When it traveled through the English Channel in January, it was shadowed by HMS Somerset, assigned to homeland defense.
A ‘New Era of Hard Power,’ Says Healey
Healey said Britain must adapt to a shifting global security landscape. He pointed to Middle East conflicts, rising India-Pakistan tensions, Chinese espionage targeting U.K. institutions, and the war in Ukraine.
Britain has pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, including 3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for supporting infrastructure. Last year, the U.K. spent around 2.3% of GDP on defense.
“This is a new era of threat. It demands a new era of defense—one of hard power, strong alliances, and clear diplomacy,” Healey said. “As the threat grows, Britain must step up, and we will.”