Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Undersea Infrastructure

Monday 10 February 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include increasing defence spending and investing in underwater capabilities under AUKUS pillar 2.
  • The UK is addressing risks to undersea infrastructure by enhancing existing capabilities like RFA Proteus.
  • The strategic defence review will outline a path to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove
Defence
Context

The question addresses the growing threat to undersea infrastructure from malicious actors, particularly highlighted by the activities of the Russian spy ship Yantar.

Question

What steps he is taking to protect undersea infrastructure. Will he prioritise development of underwater capabilities, such as uncrewed systems, including under pillar 2 of AUKUS, and will he increase research and development investment into systems that could protect critical undersea infrastructure?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

We are seeing more risks posed to our critical underwater infrastructure by players who wish harm to our national security. We already have brilliant capability in RFA Proteus, which is able to support our infrastructure and that of our allies. When the strategic defence review is published in the spring, there will be more developments in that direction.

Partly answered
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Q2 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Defence
Context

In light of the threat to undersea infrastructure highlighted by the Yantar incident, there is a call for immediate increase in defence spending.

Question

Does the serious situation with the Yantar show that we need to increase our defence spending as quickly as possible to defend our crucial infrastructure and protect national security?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

We are increasing our defence spending. In the Budget, we increased defence spending by £3 billion, and in the spring, after the publication of the strategic defence review, we will set out a path to spending 2.5% of our GDP on defence.

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Q3 Damien Egan Lab Bristol North East
Defence
Context

The hostile activity of surveying undersea cables poses a serious threat to the economy, public services, and social order.

Question

Given the hostile activity undertaken—the surveying of our cables—can Ministers give assurances that the full needs of our Navy will be reflected in the strategic defence review so we can defend our homeland security?

Answer from The Minister for the Armed Forces (Luke Pollard)

As a Navy brat and representative of a naval constituency, I understand the importance. It is not just the Royal Navy that defends our critical national infrastructure; it involves the RAF, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and other forces working together to defend our interests. We have formidable capabilities to protect ourselves.

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