Showdown in the Coral Sea as navy sends THIRD warship to intercept Russian fleet - while Abbott peels off for breakfast with British PM David Cameron in Sydney ahead of G20 summit

• Russian fleet is reportedly on its way into Australian waters
• Australian intelligence believe Russian vessels will spy on G20 leaders
• Three Australian navy ships are now monitoring the Russian fleet
• Prime Minister Tony Abbott has downplayed the move
• Comes ahead of the G20 summit being held in Brisbane at the weekend
• British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Sydney on Friday morning
• Mr Cameron and Mr Abbott met for a business breakfast  

By SARAH DEAN  and SALLY LEE and FREYA NOBLE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA  and AAP

PUBLISHED: 14:56 GMT, 13 November 2014 | UPDATED: 21:25 GMT, 13 November 2014

Australia has reportedly sent a third warship to monitor a Russian naval fleet that is heading towards the country to 'spy on' the G20 summit, despite Defence downplaying the threat.

The news comes on the same day as British Prime Minister David Cameron touched down in Sydney before flying on to Brisbane for the meeting of world leaders.

Mr Cameron, who is expected to clash with Russian President Vladimir Putin this weekend over issues like Ukraine, met with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for a business breakfast on Friday morning. 

The pair walked around Sydney Harbour and posed for photos in front of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Mr Cameron will later head to Canberra to address Parliament before flying north to Brisbane.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama will touch down in Brisbane tomorrow morning amid unprecedented security 

On Friday it was reported HMAS Sirius has been sent as backup for Australian ships HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Stuart, which are already in the Coral Sea watching over four Russian naval boats, News.com.au claimed.

A fourth ship, HMAS Sydney, is also reportedly on standby and three RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft have been sent to the RAAF Base at Amberley near Brisbane, the website said.

The Russian navy fleet heading for Australian waters is believed to be acting on orders to spy on leaders and officials at the G20 summit.

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