Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Paragraph: 57
We recommend that the Home Office and the MOD agree realistic indicators of success and...
Recommendation
We recommend that the Home Office and the MOD agree realistic indicators of success and explain them to both Houses of Parliament. Furthermore, we recommend that an agreed date for the operation to be handed over to the Border Force is published, with the option of extension if so required. This cannot be an open-ended deployment, occupying scarce Royal Naval vessels and personnel.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government disagrees with the Committee’s view on the deployment of ‘scarce’ naval resources. The Batch 1 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and P2000 coastal patrol craft are permanently assigned to a range of duties in Home Waters including support to Border Force. Operation ISOTROPE has no impact on the availability of Destroyers, Frigates or Batch 2 OPVs for deployment overseas or in defence of our homeland from peer adversaries. Whilst the commitment is expected to last until January 2023, it can be maintained indefinitely without any significant impact on wider Royal Navy activity.