By Andrew Fox

Two headlines should be read together.

First, MPs say Britain still has no national plan to defend the homeland and overseas territories. Progress on a Home Defence Programme is glacial, and the UK is falling short of its NATO Article 3 duty to build resilience.

Second, the Defence Secretary warns that we are ready to act if a Russian spy ship heads south. The juxtaposition is the problem. We are prepared to swat a prowler, but we are not ready to hold the line.

Of course, the Russian spy ship Yantar is a serious nuisance. It reportedly aimed lasers at RAF pilots and loiters near undersea cables. John Healey says “military options” are ready if it changes course. This is good.........

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