Royal Navy lacks resources to counter Russian threat in high north, MPs warn

Committee cites shortfalls of submarines and warships and says ‘dramatic progress’ needed by end of decade

Britain risks failing to deter future Russian aggression in the high north beyond the UK because of shortfalls in the number and availability of Royal Navy submarines and warships, MPs on the defence select committee have said.

The committee focused on the slow deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus this spring, declining numbers of frigates, and reports that all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock this summer as evidence of a navy under-resourced for the threat.