Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 21
North Atlantic and High North geopolitics evolving, requiring UK adaptation and resources.
Conclusion
The UK Government’s policy document, The UK’s Defence Contribution in the High North, adopts appropriate strategic priorities for the region. At the same time, the geopolitics of the North Atlantic and the High North are evolving and the UK will need to be prepared to adapt its approach and commit additional resources as appropriate in response to new security threats, whether those come from malign actors or from climate change. The implications of this evolution will affect defence activities in Scotland in particular. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which occurred shortly before the publication of the MOD’s paper and which has significant implications for the security of the region, illustrates this point. In the next section of this report, we explore several factors which are contributing to the region’s growing importance.
Government Response Summary
The government recognized the need to adapt its approach to new security threats in the High North and committed to improving its understanding of the region and its evolving geopolitics, affirming a UK-wide strategy for any changes.
Paragraph Reference:
21
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Department recognises that our approach to the High North must adapt to new security threats in the region. We are committed to improve our understanding of the region, how it is changing, and the activities of state and non-state actors within it. Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has caused ripple effects for the High North. 2 Government Response: Defence in Scotland: the North Atlantic and the High North As this report recognises, the main impact on the High North following the invasion has been on international cooperation across the region, evident by the impact on Arctic Council cooperation in 2022. Regional changes will impact defence assets and activity across the UK. Again, UK defence assets in Scotland do not operate in isolation and there will be a UK wide approach to regional changes in defence and security, and any changes in the UK’s posture and responsibilities.