UK Needs to Speed Up P8 Plane Supplies Over Russia Submarine Activity

Sputnik News

07:08 12.12.2015(updated 11:12 12.12.2015)

London needs to accelerate the supplies of the US-developed Boeing P-8 Poseidon military aircraft capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare, due to alleged increase in Russian submarine activity, UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – In late November, media reports appeared saying that Britain and its NATO allies France and Canada had been searching for a Russian submarine off the coast of Scotland after a reported sighting near HM Naval Base Clyde near Glasgow.

Talking about the potential acceleration of P8 arrivals, Fallon said "there will be discussions and I hope they will be this afternoon [at a meeting with US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter]."

"Because we need [the accelerated supplies]. [With] the increase in Russian submarine activity and the development of Successor [-class submarines], we need to enhance that capability as quickly as we can," Fallon told reporters prior to his meeting with Carter.

Britain's government has previously accused Russia of allowing a submarine into British maritime territory. In late May, senior Royal Air force figures claimed the Russian navy was monitoring Trident submarines at Clyde, with British military analysts making claims of fortnightly Russian incursions.

Nine Boeing P8 maritime patrol aircraft are expected to be deployed to UK Royal Air Force by 2020 as part of the country's military equipment plan, announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in November.

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