MPs warn 'glaring gaps' in the Royal Navy leave Britain's cables and nuclear deterrent exposed to Russian submarines
The Royal Navy has just five frigates fitted with the towed sonar needed to hunt hostile submarines, against a requirement of at least eight. Britain has only 11 frigates and destroyers, against 19 set out in 2010. All five Astute-class attack submarines were reportedly in dock this summer. The Commons Defence Committee also found the UK temporarily lost the ability to operate submarines beneath Arctic ice.
Committee chair Tan Dhesi warned Britain 'will be sorry in the long run' without proper funding.
Russian trawlers were tracked in more than 500 incidents operating above vital UK cables.
HMS Protector's breakdown has left Britain without a single polar-designed vessel.
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The IndependentRussia sending fishing trawlers to spy on Britain’s undersea cablesLBCBritain ‘will be sorry’ unless defence gaps are plugged, defence chair warns LBC as MPs expose Russian submarine threatLBCRussia 'using fishing trawlers to map undersea cables in UK waters'The TelegraphRoyal Navy submarines cannot repel Russia’s Arctic fleet, MPs warnMetro'Glaring gaps' in military leave UK exposed to Russian attacksBBC NewsUK's gaps in Arctic defence leave it open to Russian attacks, committee warnsLBCUK has 'glaring gaps' in Arctic defence which could leave nation vulnerable to attack from PutinDaily Mail NewsGlaring military 'gaps' in 'hostile' High North are leaving UK vulnerable to Russian subs and sabotage, reportThe GuardianRoyal Navy lacks resources to counter Russian threat in high north, MPs warnGB NewsVladimir Putin 'spying on UK with HUNDREDS of fishing trawlers' with Britain at risk 'day one' of Nato conflictThe TelegraphOn this Trafalgar Day, let us summon the spirit of Nelson to protect our cables from PutinThe SunNavy has 'lost its ability' to fight beneath Arctic ice cap & is leaving seas to Russian subs, damning report warns
