RAF

PM says UK will do 'whatever is necessary' to stay safe in face of intensified Russian threats

During a visit to RAF Lossiemouth, Sir Keir thanked personnel that work around the clock to keep the UK and Europe safe

The Prime Minister has told BFBS Forces News that the UK will do "whatever is necessary to keep the country safe" in the face of intensified threats from Russia.

His comments come as the UK signed a new defence agreement with Norway aimed at countering Russian undersea threats.

Sir Keir Starmer spoke to BFBS Forces News on a visit to RAF Lossiemouth with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre.

The Prime Minister said: "The message to Putin is we see you, and we are prepared and we are ready, and we will do whatever is necessary to keep our country safe.

"I'm here at Lossiemouth, with some of our key personnel who are deployed and working, every single day of the year, 24/7, in order to keep our country safe, to keep Europe safe."

BFBS Forces News Reporter Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne interviewing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at RAF Lossiemouth — BFBS Forces News Reporter Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne interviewed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at RAF Lossiemouth

Surrounded by military families, Sir Keir gave a brief speech thanking personnel for their work in recent weeks and their commitment to the job all year round.

He said we must be "ever alert" and praised personnel for their constant readiness.

"I'd like to take this opportunity, since I'm here at Lossiemouth, to say thank you to the service personnel who do so much not just here, but across the country, to keep us safe and sound," Sir Keir concluded.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer deliver a speech to British and Norwegian personnel based at RAF Lossiemouth — The two prime ministers spoke to personnel who are deployed at RAF Lossiemouth

The two leaders also spoke to P-8 maritime patrol crews, who have tracked Russian vessels such as the spy ship Yantar, which recently targeted UK aircraft with lasers.

They also watched a demonstration of the Quick Reaction Alert capability there, seeing crews prepare for an emergency launch of a Typhoon fast jet.

The new accord, known as the Lunna House agreement after the Shetland Isles base used by the Norwegian resistance in the Second World War, is underpinned by a £10bn UK-Norway warship deal signed in September.

The defence pact also establishes a combined naval fleet specifically designed to track Russian submarines across the North Atlantic.

It aims to safeguard critical undersea cables, which face an escalating threat from Moscow.