What is Scotland’s role in defending the North Atlantic and the High North?
The Scottish Affairs Committee holds its first evidence session as part of its ‘Defence in Scotland: the North Atlantic and the High North’ inquiry.
MPs seek the views of academics and analysts on the growing defence and security significance of the North Atlantic and the Arctic (or ‘High North’). The session will explore what the defence objectives of the UK and its allies should be in the region, and the strategic importance of Scotland and Scottish-based capabilities to meeting these objectives.
Meeting details
The Committee is likely to seek to learn more about Russia’s presence in the High North, and how increased tensions since the invasion of Ukraine have changed the picture for defence and security in the Arctic region.
Other factors which could influence policy in the Arctic zone include the opening of new sea routes as a result of climate change, and increased Chinese interest, infrastructure and capabilities in the Arctic.
The likely issues the Committee will discuss with witnesses include the following:
- the strategic role Scottish-based defence capabilities have in responding to threats in the North Atlantic and High North;
- how the Armed Forces can work with allies in the region to meet common aims, including through initiatives like the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF);
- what opportunities the future use of autonomous and space-based technologies in the North Atlantic and High North might present for Scotland;
- concerns on whether the Armed Forces have sufficient cold weather capability, and reports of a lack of Royal Navy icebreaker ships and RAF early warning aircraft.