The head of the Royal Navy has warned Britain must “step up” on defence or risk losing its advantage in the Atlantic, as Russia continues to spend billions on its capabilities at sea.

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said there was “no room for complacency” while Moscow invests heavily in its northern fleet.

In a speech to the International Sea Power conference in London on Monday, Sir Gwyn said there had been a “30% increase in Russian incursion in our waters” just over the last two years.

The activity is most visibly seen in the presence of spy ships like the Yantar operating near UK waters, he said, but warned: “It’s what’s going on under the waves that most concerns me.”

Sir Gwyn said: “I can also tell you today that the advantage that we have enjoyed in the Atlantic since t

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