The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that one of Vladimir Putin’s warships has carried out a “live-fire weapons exercise” that was conducted just 46 miles away from the UK coast
A Russian warship has carried out a “live-fire weapons exercise” just 46 miles away from the UK coast, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. Putin’s warship was spotted carrying out the military exercise close to the south of Plymouth yesterday (July 20).
The Russian vessel, identified by Sky News as the Neustrashimy, had reportedly informed the Royal Navy of its intention to conduct gunnery activity.
HMS Tyne was in the area of the Neustrashimy at the time to tract its movements and was asked to move away while the exercise was carried out. The HMS Tyne acknowledged the request and moved away for 30 minutes while the exercise, which was held in international waters, could be carried out.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “A Russian naval vessel shadowed by the Royal Navy conducted a live-fire weapons exercise in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth yesterday.
“The Royal Navy monitored that exercise throughout, continues to track the vessel’s activity closely, and stands ready to protect UK national security.”
The exercise comes as Andy Burnham’s Government “will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies”, new Chancellor John Healey has insisted.
The Nato military alliance has tasked all member states with spending 3.5% of GDP on their core defence spending by 2035, in preparation for the growing threat from Russia.
Mr Healey unexpectedly emerged as the holder of the Government’s purse strings on Monday, just over a month after he quit as defence secretary following a spending row with the Treasury, the department he now runs.
When he quit as defence secretary, Mr Healey hit out at the Treasury for not stumping up the £28 billion military chiefs believed were needed for the defence investment plan (Dip).
At the time, he said he was “certain” that Britain should be spending 3% of gross domestic product – a measure of the economy – by the year 2030, and warned the actual commitment fell far short of this.
Mr Healey wrote in his resignation letter that extra funding in the Dip would only see defence spending rise to 2.68% by the end of the decade, and expressed frustration with Sir Keir Starmer for not setting a clear timetable to reach 3%.
The new Chancellor was asked by broadcasters on Monday night if welfare cuts or new taxes could be introduced to meet the 3% of GDP goal by 2030.
He replied: “Fiscal control is the first duty of any Chancellor. It is mine. And fiscal credibility is the bedrock for economic stability and for national security.
“You heard the Prime Minister this afternoon say, in this more dangerous world, we will meet our commitments on defence to our international allies.”
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