Al Pinkerton
Main Page: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)Department Debates - View all Al Pinkerton's debates with the Ministry of Defence
(2 days ago)
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Louise Sandher-Jones
We are rightly proud of the work that we are doing with partner nations in the JEF. In July this year, the carrier strike group deployed to the High North, working alongside 19 NATO allies, and is due back this autumn. The UK has recently taken command of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, which oversees all NATO operations across the High North, and the Royal Marines took part in Exercise Cold Response, alongside approximately 25,000 personnel from 14 allied nations.
Dr Al Pinkerton (Surrey Heath) (LD)
Last weekend I was in Iceland for the Arctic Circle Assembly, where I heard a great deal of support for greater co-operation with the United Kingdom in the High North, but also an excitement about the impending Arctic policy framework that was published on Thursday. That document recognised the great strategic importance of the High North to the United Kingdom. Given that, will the Minister say more about when a new icebreaker will be brought online, which is clearly critical to our polar strategy and posture? What other resources will the United Kingdom need in the short term to deliver that strategy?
Louise Sandher-Jones
The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the importance of our icebreaking capability. Project Shackleton is looking at the longer-term options for the capability.