Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research
The Human Security Centre (HSC) is pleased to announce that the House of Commons Defence Sub Committee has published the evidence submitted by Senior Fellow Dr Rowan Allport on the subject of Defence in the Arctic.
You can read the full evidence on the website of the UK parliament.
Executive Summary
This submission focuses upon the state-based security challenges within, and emanating from, the ‘European’ Arctic region. It highlights that:
- Russia’s military power has fallen substantially in the last quarter-century, but the High North continues to host key national defence assets, and Moscow is in the midst of making substantial investments in its Arctic facilities.
- European NATO’s ability to counter Russian aggression in or emerging from the Arctic has declined significantly since the end of the Cold War, and US support remains crucial in a major conflict.
- Any confrontation between NATO forces and Russia in or near the Arctic region is likely to be the consequence of a conflict which commenced elsewhere.
- There is a requirement for NATO to take an explicit role in Arctic security matters to enhance deterrence and provide options for ending conflicts on favourable terms.
