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Written question asked by Luke Akehurst (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 March 2026. It was answered by Al Carns (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Defence: North Atlantic Ocean

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Canada, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands on cooperation in the North Atlantic in connection with the Atlantic Bastion concept.

Answer

Within the Atlantic Bastion concept, Royal Navy general‑purpose frigates will continue to play an important role in providing maritime presence, patrol, escort and reassurance tasks, while also acting as flexible platforms able to integrate with uncrewed systems. The exact pace and scale of capability enhancements delivered through Atlantic Bastion will be determined through the Defence Investment Plan.

The Secretary of State for Defence and First Sea Lord have engaged with counterparts and senior officials from Canada, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands on the Atlantic Bastion concept through a range of bilateral and multilateral forums, including NATO Defence Ministerial meetings and North Atlantic-focused working groups. The UK will continue to work closely with these Allies to ensure the North Atlantic remains secure and resilient.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
117512
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Defence Canada International cooperation North Atlantic Ocean Netherlands Norway Denmark
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk