The UK must address gaps in its Arctic defence capabilities to reduce its vulnerability to potential Russian attacks, MPs have warned in a report.
The report highlights a lack of Royal Navy warships and submarines as among the shortcomings affecting the UK's ability to respond to threats in the region. It urges action to strengthen the country's capacity to operate in and defend the Arctic.
The warning comes as Russia seeks to dominate the region. The report presents the gaps in Britain's naval capability as a potential weakness in its wider defence posture, particularly as strategic interest in the Arctic increases.
MPs have called for the identified deficiencies to be addressed, but the supplied material does not set out a timetable for action or detail any specific measures proposed by the government. The latest position is therefore a warning that further work is needed to close the capability gaps identified in the report.