Select committee: Defence Committee
Conclusion 23
2nd Report - Defence in the High North
Published 22 Oct 2026
Addressed to Ministry of Defence
Defence Committee Defence in the High North All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
Government is already investing in the Hybrid Navy and Atlantic Bastion concepts to deter and, if necessary, defeat those threats in the High North. However, Royal Navy equipment readiness and platform numbers in particular are currently far worse than the government’s stated requirements. With 2030 identified as a key date by which to be ready to deter or defeat any Russian threat, dramatic progress is required before the end of the decade to improve the availability and capabilities of the UK’s Armed Forces for operations in the High North. (Conclusion, Paragraph 125) 48
From: Defence Committee, 2nd Report - Defence in the High North (HC 71), 22 October 2026
Government response
Government response awaited: deadline 22 December 2026.