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2h ago

MPs Say UK Lacks Forces to Secure the High North

The Commons Defence Committee warns that shortfalls in ships, submarines and anti‑submarine warfare put undersea cables, the nuclear deterrent and Atlantic supply lines at risk and requests time‑bound readiness plans before 2030.

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Overview

  • The Defence Committee published a report on Wednesday saying the UK does not currently have the capabilities to operate effectively in the High North and must make dramatic progress before 2030.
  • MPs singled out a deep anti‑submarine warfare gap, noting the MoD has accepted the shortfall and calling for clearer, measurable steps to close it.
  • The report records low platform availability — five Sonar‑2087‑equipped Type 23 frigates, six Type 45 destroyers and a ‘shockingly low’ availability of attack submarines — and warns the UK has temporarily lost under‑ice submarine capability.
  • The committee asks the government to reassess the role of the UK‑led Joint Expeditionary Force so it can better counter High North threats and says any shift would require bolstering UK forces in the Baltics to maintain NATO commitments.
  • The MoD points to recent funding for Atlantic Bastion and undersea protection but MPs demand a time‑bound plan, possibly with a classified briefing and a public summary, and expect a formal government response in the coming weeks.