Limited Cold Weather Defence Capability

Committee recommendation

90match

#19 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Within a year the government should set out how it will robustly test and validate the Hybrid Navy’s principal uncrewed systems in High North conditions before they are relied upon for Atlantic Bastion or other operational tasks. This should include cold-weather performance, 47 endurance, communications resilience, resistance to jamming and spoofing, protection against capture or reverse engineering, and...

Matched on terms: cold, defence, weather

Committee recommendation

90match

#18 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Uncrewed systems could help the Royal Navy generate the mass and persistence needed for sustained operations in the High North, the North Atlantic and around critical undersea infrastructure. They could be especially valuable for surveillance, anti-submarine sensing and seabed protection, where crewed platforms are scarce and expensive. However, the High North is an exceptionally demanding environment for autonomous...

Matched on terms: capability, cold, defence

Committee recommendation

81match

#98 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession also presents strategic and organisational challenges. NATO deterrence in the High North has traditionally focused on the maritime domain. Finland’s accession to NATO has doubled the length of the Alliance’s land border with Russia. There is therefore a need to increase the training of land forces in cold weather conditions. 118 Norwegian defence...

Matched on terms: cold, defence, weather

Committee recommendation

78match

#13 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The UK has allowed its under-ice submarine capability to lapse at a time when the High North has become strategically more important. Without a credible under-ice capability, the UK is less able to contest Russian freedom of action in the High North and risks being forced into a more defensive posture. Russia can then use the ice to...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

78match

#7 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The United Kingdom has committed to acquiring a sub-strategic nuclear capability to enhance deterrence, although how this aligns with the security of the High North is less clear. To ensure the capability is effective it will probably be necessary for the RAF to occasionally rehearse forward deploying the nuclear-capable F-35A aircraft to the High North. Recipient countries will,...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

77match

#124 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We welcome the UK Government’s increased defence commitments to the region, including the recently announced plans for deeper collaboration with Nordic partners to combat hybrid threats. The UK Government remains committed to holding cold weather training and military exercises in the High North.

Matched on terms: cold, defence, weather

Committee recommendation

77match

#108 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

The UK has historically played an important role within NATO in anti-submarine warfare and air policing in the High North and the Arctic. Among NATO allies, only Britain and the US have the capability to conduct nuclear submarine patrols under the ice cap. The demands on these capabilities in the High North are growing as Russia has invested...

Matched on terms: capability, cold, defence

Committee recommendation

77match

#8 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We welcome the UK Government’s increased defence commitments to the region, including the recently announced plans for deeper collaboration with Nordic partners to combat hybrid threats. The UK Government remains committed to holding cold weather training and military exercises in the High North.

Matched on terms: cold, defence, weather

Committee recommendation

74match

#20 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Defence exports can strengthen the UK’s position in the High North when they help closely aligned allies field capabilities that are interoperable with the Royal Navy and are suited to northern operations. The Norway Type 26 agreement is a clear example: if delivered well, it could expand NATO’s ASW capacity on the northern flank and deepen UK-Norwegian operational...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#16 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Alongside its response to this report the Ministry of Defence should provide the Committee with a classified assessment of the capability gaps that would arise in a 2030 High North conflict scenario in which the UK and regional allies had to operate without US support. This assessment should identify the most serious gaps in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#15 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

To offer as credible a deterrent as possible to dissuade Russian aggression in the High North, NATO needs effective military capabilities. Evidence suggests there would be critical military gaps if the United States were not involved in countering such aggression. Given the uncertainty around the latter’s commitment during any future crisis, the UK can play a significant role...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#14 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Alongside its response to this report the government should brief the Defence Committee on progress it is making to re-establish as rapidly as possible an under-ice capability for at least some of the Astute Class submarines so they can operate effectively in the High North and regularly exercise there to maintain that capability. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89) 46 High...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#9 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Measured against its own military requirements, the Ministry of Defence has a serious anti-submarine warfare gap. Towed array sonar-equipped frigates are central to detecting and tracking hostile submarines in the High North, the North Atlantic and UK waters, including around the UK’s nuclear deterrent bases. Reducing the fleet to five such vessels against a requirement for eight weakens...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#8 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Alongside its response to this report the Ministry of Defence should provide the Defence Committee with a classified briefing on how the Department intends to enhance nuclear deterrence through the acquisition of its new sub-strategic capability, including any discussions with regional allies on enhancing extended deterrence in the High North, including through the forward deployment of the capability....

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

74match

#5 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

If the government believes that the JEF provides a valuable additional capability alongside NATO structures, and Canada is admitted into the JEF, then focusing more on the High North may well be the most effective use of resources. With Sweden and Finland having joined NATO, eight of the nine countries around the Baltic Sea are now members of...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

70match

#23 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

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...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

70match

#11 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The Royal Marines’ Arctic expertise is a significant national strength, but it cannot compensate for shortfalls in the naval platforms needed to deploy, protect and sustain operations in the region. The UK’s ability to deter and respond to threats in the High North depends not only on future programmes, but also on the readiness of the Royal Navy’s...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

65match

#110 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

In the maritime domain, the House of Commons Defence Committee’s 2018 report on defence in the Arctic raised concerns regarding the operational availability of the UK’s very limited number of submarines. 136 The UK has few dedicated capabilities for Arctic operations and just one dedicated ice patrol ship, HMS Protector , which must cover both polar regions and...

Matched on terms: defence, limited

Committee recommendation

65match

#103 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

The UK is one of the few non-Arctic states that invests in the military capability to operate in the High North. Prof Lackenbauer told us that the UK is “key to North Atlantic security across all domains” and plays an important role in anti-submarine and air policing. 127

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

65match

#55 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

It is therefore essential that NATO retains an effective deterrent in the High North. This requires sufficient investment in Arctic-capable assets, and regular training to demonstrate capability and commitment. Mr Lapsley summarised NATO’s task as follows: “What we most need to do in the Arctic and the High North—and there may be some other bits of geography where...

Matched on terms: capability, defence

Committee recommendation

64match

#6 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The government should consider whether the JEF focuses on the High North, concentrating finite resources on maximising its ability to operate more frequently in the harsh climate there while undertaking the demanding anti-submarine mission, rather than operating as often in the Baltic as previously. (Recommendation, Paragraph 51)

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#22 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The MOD has recognised that the gradual opening of the High North in recent years has made the defence and security of the region a high priority. Failure to deter Russia in the region, particularly from underwater threats, puts at particular risk sub-sea data cables and energy pipes in adjacent UK waters during peacetime. Failure to counter Russia...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#21 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

In its response to this report the government should set out how major naval export programmes, including the Norway Type 26 agreement and any future uncrewed maritime systems, will support High North deterrence while protecting Royal Navy capabilities. This should include an assessment of their effect on UK delivery timelines, industrial capacity, shared training, sustainment, interoperability and the...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#12 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

When responding to this report the government should provide the Defence Committee with a plan setting out how the Ministry of Defence will improve the availability of the Royal Navy’s frigates, destroyers and attack submarines before 2030. This update might be presented at a classified level, but the Committee will expect a version to be subsequently publicly available....

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#10 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

Given the critical role of anti-submarine operations in the High North, the government should ensure no further towed array-equipped Type 23 Frigates leave service until they are replaced on a one-for-one basis by the new Type 26 vessels. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#2 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

The government should prepare options for a UK state-owned vessel to transit the Northern Sea Route in support of international freedom of navigation rights, including an assessment of the legal basis, operational risks and potential Russian response. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17) High North policy challenges

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

62match

#1 - 2nd Report - Defence in the High North

Defence Committee

As the Northern Sea Route becomes more accessible, Russia may seek to turn its control of the route into a de facto monopoly. A transit by a UK state-owned vessel through international waters could help uphold freedom of navigation rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but this action would need to be...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

61match

#158 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

China is rapidly developing its nuclear potential. The Arctic Ocean represents the shortest missile flight trajectory as well as submarine passage between China and North America. 183 Dr Ash told us that by deploying ballistic missile submarines in the Arctic, China could enlarge the number of targets it could hit and could use the Arctic environment to compensate...

Matched on terms: defence

PFD report

57match

Max Carlton-Smith

Jan 2015 · London (Inner South)

The coroner noted the absence of on-site medical assistance, delayed emergency response, inadequate ventilation, and unregulated fire exits at an unlicensed rave. The report also identified police's limited powers to proactively prevent such events in squatted commercial premises and insufficient resources for intervention.

Matched on terms: limited

Committee recommendation

57match

#157 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Mr Lapsley noted that building military forces that could successfully operate in the region would represent a major challenge for China. He observed that: “We know that they have an aspiration generally to make themselves a more powerful Arctic nation, to build their presence. Whether that translates at some point into wanting to project hard military power into...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

57match

#115 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Likewise, the Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into Scotland’s defence contribution in the High North heard evidence that the UK’s current fleet of P-8As would be insufficient to maintain a persistent presence in the High North and Arctic alongside a long-term deployment to the Indo-Pacific and protection of the nuclear deterrent. The Minister told that Committee: “I think we...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

57match

#106 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

On 13 October 2023, the Prime Minister announced that the UK would increase its presence in Northern Europe and the High North, and would deepen co-operation on countering hybrid threats. This would include sending more than 20,000 personnel for regional exercises, alongside eight Royal Navy ships, 25 fast jets and an aviation task force of helicopters. 133

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

57match

#100 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Contrary to the expectations of officials in the Nordic states, and the public messaging of Russian officials, NATO has so far not detected a change in Russia’s military posture in response to Finland’s accession to the Alliance. 121 Indeed, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen noted in August this year that “our border is pretty empty during the war...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

57match

#53 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

It is highly likely that Russia’s Northern Fleet and Arctic-based strategic capabilities would be involved in the event of a broader conflict between Russia and NATO. Russia’s Arctic-based forces would likely seek to interdict and disrupt sea lines of communication and US reinforcements in the North Atlantic. Dr Rowan Allport explained that “a lot of Russia’s capabilities in...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

57match

#47 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

At the same time, the UK needs to prepare for the potential for significant change in the Arctic. The Arctic will remain a key strategic priority for Russia, and the UK needs to be able to play its part in guaranteeing the security of Finland (and Sweden) within the NATO Alliance. There is a high likelihood that the...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#163 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

It is essential that the UK Government pays close attention to Sino -Russian collaboration in the Arctic. UK scenario planning should consider the possibility that China could in the future seek to establish a military presence in the Arctic. This would represent a significant strategic challenge to the West. Other East Asian countries with Arctic interests

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#125 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We are concerned, however, that the UK has insufficient key military assets, such as submarines, maritime patrol or airborne early warning aircraft, to support this increased focus on the Arctic alongside the UK’ s growing interest in other regions such as the Indo- Pacific.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#114 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We question, however, whether such a small number of platforms would be sufficient to provide adequate defensive cover for the UK, let alone allow for a contribution to operations in the High North.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#109 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

There remain long-standing concerns that the UK lacks the resources and platforms to maintain a meaningful presence in the High North and the Arctic.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#102 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

The UK, along with other members, must adapt their strategic doctrines to apply the security guarantees under Article 5 to the two Arctic states. Mr Lapsley told us that the consequence of Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO is that the Arctic is now becoming more like any other part of NATO’s area of operations, and an area...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#101 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We heard that in the medium term, there is a strong likelihood that Russia will respond to NATO enlargement with increased military build-up in the Arctic. Prof Zysk told us that NATO enlargement will unavoidably increase Russia’s sense of vulnerability: “In general, the many unintended consequences of the Russian assault on Ukraine have profoundly reshaped Arctic security and...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#96 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO provides an opportunity for the UK to deepen its already extensive defence co-operation with the Nordic states. The RAND Corporation suggested this could include deepening co-operation around common platforms, such as the F-35 combat aircraft or the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. Increased intelligence sharing could also strengthen situational awareness in the region....

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#65 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Professor Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, therefore saw the challenge for NATO as ensuring sufficient presence in the High North, while minimising the risk of accidents and unintentional escalation. 66 Professor Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North at Trent University, emphasised that with increasing Russian activity in...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#17 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

It is essential that the UK Government pays close attention to Sino-Russian collaboration in the Arctic. UK scenario planning should consider the possibility that China could in the future seek to establish a military presence in the Arctic. This would represent a significant strategic challenge to the West.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#9 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

We are concerned, however, that the UK has insufficient key military assets, such as submarines, maritime patrol or airborne early warning aircraft, to support this increased focus on the Arctic alongside the UK’s growing interest in other regions such as the Indo-Pacific.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#4 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

Russian sub-threshold activity in the High North is a significant and growing threat. The UK and its allies should prepare contingency plans to detect, deter and respond to hybrid and ‘grey-zone activities’, and consult on how to best do this in situations when public attribution is not possible .

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#3 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

While it is not in Russia’s interest to start a conventional conflict in the Arctic, sub-threshold activity and accidental escalation represent significant risks to the region’s security.

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#2 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

The Arctic will remain central to Russia’s military and strategic thinking. The military setbacks it has suffered in Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession, will only increase the importance of the region for Russia’s leadership. Russia has a legitimate interest in the Arctic, but the UK approach and that of its allies must be robust in deterring...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#1 - 1st Report - Our friends in the North: UK strategy towards the Arctic

International Relations and Defence Committee

The Arctic has traditionally been viewed as an area of high co-operation and low tension. The UK’s long-term goal is for the region to return to this state. It is questionable whether this is achievable. As the region pivots from an area of co-operation to one of competition and potential confrontation, the UK Government needs to make sure...

Matched on terms: defence

Committee recommendation

53match

#27 - 4th Report – The National Security Strategy

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

The Government should also pursue this contingency through continuing to develop strategic partnerships with non-NATO allies in other parts of the world. In addition to working to shore up European NATO’s capabilities, the UK should plan to move away from a bilateral relationship with the United States that is so dependent on the latter for nuclear and intelligence...

Matched on terms: defence