The House of Commons Defence Select Committee has concluded that the Royal Navy currently lacks the numbers and availability of submarines and warships required to deter Russian activity in the high north beyond UK waters.
MPs pointed to a series of operational and force-structure concerns as evidence of an under-resourced service. The committee highlighted the slow deployment of the destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus this spring, declining numbers of frigates, and reports that all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock during the summer as indicative of problems with readiness and availability.
The committee warned that, unless addressed, those shortfalls could undermine the navy’s ability to perform persistent deterrence and contribute to NATO operations in the Arctic and North Atlantic — regions increasingly regarded as strategically important amid rising Russian activity.
In its findings the committee said ‘‘dramatic progress’’ would be required by the end of the decade to restore capability and availability. It urged the government and the Ministry of Defence to take urgent steps to resolve the issues identified and to ensure the fleet can meet the demands of operating in the high north.
The report focused on readiness and force structure rather than offering specific procurement prescriptions. It framed the concerns around ship and submarine availability, deployment tempo and overall fleet size, arguing these factors together create a material risk to Britain’s ability to deter and respond to aggression beyond its immediate maritime approaches.
The Defence Select Committee’s assessment will increase pressure on ministers to set out how planned shipbuilding, maintenance and crewing programmes will translate into the sustained operational presence the report says is necessary. Any government response will be watched closely by NATO allies given the alliance’s reliance on UK naval contributions in northern maritime theatres.