Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Paragraph: 46
Publish strategy for protecting offshore infrastructure, including deterrence and rapid repair plans
Conclusion
The UK Government should produce and publish a strategy for protecting offshore infrastructure. This should include a plan for how attempts by malign actors to interfere with Critical National Infrastructure can be deterred or prevented, and how damaged infrastructure can be repaired quickly by their commercial owners.
Government Response Summary
The government states that protecting subsea infrastructure is already a core part of its National Strategy for Maritime Security. It describes ongoing efforts, including inter-departmental cooperation, monitoring, naval patrols, and working with allies to deter threats and ensure resilience, stating that any deliberate attack would be met with a united response.
Paragraph Reference:
46
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Protecting subsea Infrastructure is a core part of HMG’s National Strategy for Maritime Security. This public document is the basis for engagement with industry and international partners on the importance of subsea infrastructure and measures to improve subsea infrastructure resilience. The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to support the wider HMG approach. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defending the UK’s overall homeland security and forms part of HMG’s efforts to counter state threats, including threats to subsea infrastructure. The Ministry of Defence constantly monitors activity within UK waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone to counter and deter detected threats. British warships frequently patrol throughout the UK marine area and are routed through the North Sea where possible, on increased surveillance of offshore oil and gas installations. The UK has been working collegiately with allies and partners, including with NATO, to ensure subsea infrastructure is resilient and to deter potential state threats. Collectively supporting industry must continue to be at the heart of any future approach. Working with our international partners is also vital for deterrence. As stated by the North Atlantic Council on 19 September 2022 ‘We, as Allies, have committed to prepare for, deter, and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against Allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response’.