“Glaring gaps” in U.K.’s Arctic defense leave it and NATO open to Russian attacks, British lawmakers say

October 22, 2026 / 10:19 AM EDT / CBS News

"Glaring gaps" in the United Kingdom's Arctic defenses are leaving it and NATO vulnerable to attacks from Russia, British lawmakers said in a parliamentary report published Thursday.

The group urged the British government to "urgently address" gaps in maritime forces, particularly with the U.S. acting "more unilaterally in the region."

"This is a demanding, hostile environment, and one that our greatest adversary, Russia, is seeking to dominate for military advantage," Tan Dhesi, Chair of the Commons Defense Committee, wrote.

The committee said that a "shockingly low availability" of Royal Navy submarines and warships means critical infrastructure, such as underwater cables and energy supplies, are exposed to potential Russian attacks.

"Russia can then use the ice to conceal and protect its own submarines while threatening NATO sea lanes, U.K. critical infrastructure and the U.K.'s nuclear deterrent," the report added.

The report urged Canada and European NATO allies to "take more responsibility for defence of their interests in the High North."

Like European NATO countries, the United Kingdom lacks "some critical military capabilities that it has largely relied on the U.S. to provide, such as ballistic missile defence, long range strike and…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/