UK defence committee warns of Royal Navy capability gaps in Arctic region

A UK parliamentary committee has warned that the Royal Navy is not strong enough to protect the Arctic from Russian threats. The report says the navy does not have enough submarines or warships ready for operations in the region. Last summer, all five Astute-class attack submarines were in dock at the same time for repairs. These submarines are also not certified to operate under Arctic ice, a skill the navy has lost. Russia's submarine forces are seen as the biggest danger in the area, but the UK's ability to fight them has weakened. Some submarine patrols now last over 200 days because fewer vessels are available. The committee believes Russia could threaten NATO in the Arctic by 2030.