Key facts
- Royal Navy faces resource shortfalls in submarines and warships for the high north, according to MPs.
- The UK has five frigates for detecting Russian submarines, below a target of eight.
- None of Britain's five Astute submarines were operational from June into the summer.
- MPs warned of critical military gaps if the US does not support the UK in a crisis.
- The Ministry of Defence noted a £330 million investment to protect undersea infrastructure.
British lawmakers have warned that the Royal Navy is under-resourced to counter potential Russian aggression in the strategically important high north. The defence select committee highlighted shortfalls in the number and availability of submarines and warships, questioning the UK's ability to meet its commitments in the region.
The committee pointed to the slow deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus, declining numbers of frigates, and all five Astute-class attack submarines being out of service during the summer as evidence of the navy's limitations. MPs stated that the UK needs to acknowledge it does not currently possess all the necessary capabilities for successful operations in the high north.
The high north has gained strategic importance due to Russia's interest in energy pipelines and undersea cables, alongside the opening of Arctic seaways. The navy has previously shadowed a Russian spy ship, the Yantar, within UK waters, accusing its crew of attempting to map strategic cables and shining lasers at monitoring aircraft.
MPs urged the Ministry of Defence to create a plan to increase the number of available warships and submarines by 2030. They also noted that the UK's reliance on US support in a crisis could be uncertain, particularly under a Trump administration. The report indicated that the UK has five frigates dedicated to detecting Russian submarines, below a target of eight, with replacements not expected until 2037. Furthermore, none of the five Astute submarines were operational from June into the summer due to refits, and they lack the capability to operate under ice.
In response, the Ministry of Defence highlighted a £330 million investment to protect undersea infrastructure and noted recent tracking of Russian submarines by HMS St Albans.