Lack of ships and subs has left 'glaring gaps' in UK's capability in High North, report warns
A report has warned a lack of ships and submarines has left "glaring gaps" in the UK's capability in the High North region
The Defence Select Committee said vital infrastructure like subsea cables and energy supplies could be at risk as Russia looks to gain an advantage in the region.
It has become a key battleground with Russia as tensions rise between the Kremlin and western allies.
Defence Select Committee chair Tan Dhesi said: "For years the hollowing out of defence has had a massive impact on our ability to deter adversaries.
"And that's at a time that we are seeing the Russian spy ships and submarines, their increased preponderance, the undertaking of surveying of our data cables, our gas pipes are critical infrastructure, undersea infrastructure, which is critical to our way of life."
MPs highlighted a shortfall in anti-submarine warfare with the ageing Type 23 frigates continuing to operate while the Type 26 vessels are being built and the shortage of Astute hunter-killer available for patrols due to the delays in maintenance work being carried out on them.
"We've seen the ageing Type 23 fleet – unfortunately we only have five of those against the MOD's own stated capability requirement of eight, so we are considerably under resourced," Mr Dhesi added.
"Many of our vessels, whether it's frigates, destroyers, submarines, many of them are either in maintenance or deep maintenance.
"We saw the embarrassing state of affairs when the Iran crisis erupted and we had to send out a vessel to the Mediterranean, or lo and behold we had to get HMS Dragon out of maintenance."
The MPs said there needs to be dramatic improvement in the UK's capability to operate in the area to avoid the country being exposed to the risk of Russian aggression.
International security expert Professor David Blagden said: "Obviously the Navy in particular, even since the start of the 2010s really, that has implications for actual numbers of things like anti-submarine frigates, the Type 23 frigates, which are a very effective anti-submarine platform.
"That fleet is in real trouble because of how long it's been run on past its in-service life so they're really now on their last legs."
The committee suggested that the Joint Expeditionary Force should focus on the High North rather than maintaining its level of activity in the Baltic and also whether the British Army should bolster its presence in Estonia.
The Ministry of Defence said: "We are clear-eyed about the threat Russia poses. During his recent visit to Iceland, the Defence Secretary saw firsthand how HMS St Albans helps track and deter Russian submarine activity across the North Atlantic.
"Through the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, we are leading allied activity across the High North, strengthening Nato's northern flank and increasing our ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats.
"This government is also investing in the capabilities needed to meet those threats, with £1.5bn backing Atlantic Bastion to deliver a next-generation Hybrid Navy and a further £330m to strengthen the protection of critical undersea infrastructure."
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