UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements

The UK House of Commons Defence Committee warned that shortages and poor availability of maritime forces could undermine Britain’s anti-submarine role in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Its High North report identifies anti-submarine frigates, submarines, uncrewed systems and seabed monitoring among the capabilities needed to protect sea routes and critical infrastructure. The assessment places these requirements alongside the Ministry of Defence’s Atlantic Bastion approach and £1.3 billion Hybrid Navy investment planned through 2030. The committee’s findings are recommendations for government action, rather than funded orders, with gaps in current fleet availability remaining a central concern.