Recommendation 20

HM Government Accepted

Armed Forced from across the UK would respond in a scenario where the UK has greater obligations in the North Atlantic and the High North. Defence assets located in Scotland do not operate in isolation and in order to fulfil their roles effectively they depend on close integration with other elements, including services and infrastructure spread across the rest of the UK. Each base or establishment fits together as part of a jigsaw, performing a specific, inter-locking function. The UK reviews its defence posture across the UK on a regular basis in response to changes in the region. If required, the RAF could rapidly increase assets at Scottish bases in response to any increased threat. The RAF is revising its operational plans for the basing of forces across Government Response: Defence in Scotland: the North Atlantic and the High North 11 the UK to allow it to generate air power in response to changing threats. This will prioritise agility and adaptability to increase survivability and resilience. This will build on the RAF’s existing ability to deploy assets and personnel across the globe at short notice on a routine basis. The RAF is planning further activity in the North Atlantic and High North as part of its annual exercise program in region to develop its response plans. The Royal Navy has the capability to project force using a variety of assets in the High North, dependent on the location, season, and threat. The recent Defence Command Paper announced major investments in a new generation of Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates and support shipping, enabling us to project UK force into the High North, and ensuring our freedom to operate in the North Atlantic. If required, the RN has sufficient resources to be able to surge capacity if needed and would be able to react rapidly to an emerging threat. The RN has substantial links to local communities and organisations in Scotland, including local Councils, and would therefore be able to work in conjunction to continue to deliver RN outputs from Scotland. It is not possible to provide further detail on the capabilities that could be provided in the event of needing to surge capacity at HMNB Clyde as to do so would compromise operational security. The British Army has generally scaled up activity in the High North through a series of readiness exercises. However, scaling up specific Army activity in the High North would be dependent on the requirements of NATO, JEF, the Navy and the RAF. In particular, the Army would look to bolster the RAF’s resilience through technical and logistical support, enabling them to scale up their activity in pursuit of UK defence’s overall aims. The Army’s response might also include: • Further readiness exercises (increased tempo/new exercises) and/or exercises linked to operations in/around Scotland. These would likely be joint exercises linked to NATO Allies and partners. • Short Term Training Teams/bespoke training. Any enhanced presence would be transitory in nature. More broadly, the Army would seek to leverage its existing capabilities in support of air policing/RAF activities. The Army could, for example, support the requirement for an enhanced RAF presence through rapidly increasing capacity at its bases (Leuchars and Kinloss) for basing and operating assets, including through the provision of temporary accommodation if required.