UK’s Arctic defence gaps leave it vulnerable to Russian attacks, committee warns

The UK Parliament’s Defence Committee warns that shortages of Royal Navy warships and submarines leave critical High North infrastructure, including undersea cables and energy supplies, exposed. The report describes submarine availability as “shockingly low” and says the UK has temporarily lost the ability to operate submarines beneath Arctic ice, potentially allowing Russia to threaten NATO sea lanes and Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Committee chair Tan Dhesi says work to address the gaps cannot start soon enough. MPs also recommend considering whether the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force should focus more on the High North amid uncertainty over US support for NATO.