Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether she is taking steps to procure an icebreaker ship to complement HMS Protector for future operations in the Atlantic Bastion.

As highlighted in the Strategic Defence Review, Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO against the persistent and growing underwater threat from a modernising Russian submarine force. While an icebreaking capability does not form part of the Atlantic Bastion plan, the UK recognises the increasing strategic importance of the Arctic and High North. As such, future icebreaker capabilities are being considered to deliver the Strategic Defence Review vision, with all capability requirements considered as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which will be completed in autumn 2025.