Suggesting that Scotland’s coast is undefended is both inaccurate and irresponsible, the Defence Secretary told the Commons, offering in the same answer to work with the Scottish Government on the defence of the United Kingdom regardless of constitutional differences.
Lara Bird, the Scottish National Party member for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, asked the Secretary of State to station a warship permanently on Scotland’s north coast, and set the request against what she described as a sevenfold difference in defence spending between south east England and Scotland.
Bird said: “Scotland is currently on the front line of defending the High North. And yet, despite the very real threats that we face, the UK government currently spends seven times more on defence in the south east of England than in the whole of Scotland combined. And so, given those very real threats that we face, and given that our coastline is currently undefended by the Royal Navy, will the Secretary of State commit to placing a surface level vessel permanently on the north coast of Scotland?”
Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Defence, said: “Can I just sort of say gently to the hon. Member that I think it is both inaccurate and irresponsible to suggest that Scotland’s coast is undefended, and in the same spirit, just to underscore to her, I am very willing to work with the Scottish Government in defence of the United Kingdom, regardless of our constitutional differences. It is important that we work together and I hope we can do so in the question.”
His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane is the Royal Navy’s largest site in Scotland and the home of the submarine service, holding the Vanguard class boats that carry the deterrent and the Astute class attack submarines alongside them, with the whole submarine flotilla consolidating there.
RAF Lossiemouth flies the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that track Russian submarines through the Greenland Iceland United Kingdom gap, and holds Typhoons at quick reaction alert for the northern half of British airspace. River class offshore patrol vessels work Scottish waters on fishery protection and maritime security tasking, and the Fleet Ready Escort is held at short notice to shadow Russian warships as they transit.
HMS Prince of Wales and her strike group deployed to the High North this month on Operation Firecrest, with F-35B Lightning jets flying from the carrier in the North Atlantic, and the Royal Navy has spent the year building the pattern of surface deployments north of Scotland that the deployment sits within.
Versions of the claim have reached the Commons before, and this publication has examined an earlier assertion that there are no Royal Navy vessels in Scottish waters, and has tested the related argument that Scotland is short changed on defence spending.
Figures published last month put Ministry of Defence spending with Scottish industry at £2.53 billion, a thirteen per cent real terms increase on the previous year, worth £460 a head and supporting 12,200 jobs. The House of Commons Library, working from the previous year’s regional statistics, puts spending with industry in South East England at £7.9 billion, or £820 a person, against a United Kingdom average of about £460.
The Arctic Policy Framework published last week named Russian activity around undersea cables and pipelines as a threat to critical national infrastructure and described the shadow fleet as a systemic risk, which puts official policy close to Bird’s description of where Scotland sits. The Lunna House Agreement signed with Norway commits the two navies to protecting those links across the North Atlantic, and the Defence Committee is running an inquiry into the High North, with written evidence submitted this month setting out how uncrewed platforms and Type 26 frigates would provide persistent anti-submarine surveillance in the gap.
When Scotland gets its independence the Scottish home fleet will protect us all then👍
Nope! Under the SNP, Scotland will join NATO and NATO (UK minus Scotland) will defend Scotlands coastline.
After 10 years Scotland might be able to find enough cash behind the sofa to purchase an OPV but not much in addition to a couple of Fishery Protection vessels and a Fishery Research vessel IMO.
Another defacto protectorate, just like Ireland.
Can’t wait.
On the plus Side some Westminster Goverment will decide to move all the Military, Shipbuilding, Banking and other tied jobs South of the Boarder allowing those that choose to Relocate….
Save Billions in money moving North to Pay for Welfare ..!
And allow the now Empty houses in Scotland for Illegal Immigrants…!
What’s Not to like..!
Protectorate? You mean UK will be the vassal state of Ireland and independent Scotland since it will be UK that will supply troops and resources to defend them?
The UK won’t be doing that. Just stating facts. We won’t be basing armed forces in Scotland, it is for Scotland to defend itself. We won’t be paying anything to Scotland.
Will it? I thought to join NATO you had to have something to offer? Given they already spend billions more than they generate in tax that should be fun. 5% of gdp please. 🤣
And the rest. Budget deficit will be gigantic.
Imagine what will be left of the Scottish economy once capital outflows, equity movements, asset stripping has occurred. Which it most certainly will the very second Scotland votes for leaving the UK.
Add a divorce bill and taking a share of the national debt and Scotland fiscally speaking is an utter mess.
Budget deficit £50-60 billion a year minimum and needing an IMF bailout within 2-3 years
It’s undefended against the SNP. All those coastal constituencies that can vote any way they choose. I believe one of them returned Lara Bird. Frightening!
I mean it would be nice to have ships to station anywhere…
Scotland seems to me the most defended part of the UK.
If you want to see undefended I’d look towards the Irish coast (Ireland of Ireland).
That needs defending.
@Mark B.
The newly refreshed; March 2026, historic “Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation” agreement between the United Kingdom and Ireland allows the Royal Air Force to intercept hostile or suspicious aircraft within Irish airspace. Established during the Cold War in 1952 (… according to the Irish Times), this then classified memorandum of understanding was updated following the September eleven terrorist attacks to counter modern aviation threats such as aircraft hijackings. The arrangement exists primarily because Ireland lacks supersonic fighter jets and the radar capabilities required to monitor and intercept high altitude threats independently.
Under the terms of the pact, British military operations do not constitute a formal defense guarantee, and the United Kingdom does not take responsibility for defending Irish territory. Instead, the Royal Air Force operates strictly on a case-by-case basis, requiring express prior consent and diplomatic clearance from the government in Dublin before entering Irish skies. The modernised agreements aim to digitise and further automate these clearance procedures to ensure that information sharing happens in real time, preventing bureaucratic lag from ever impacting a live intercept. This cooperation helps secure the busy transatlantic flight corridors that pass through Irish-controlled sectors.
Because Ireland’s naval and radar capabilities are limited, there has been an increase in Russian spy ships and “shadow fleet” tankers operating off the Irish west coast. Now, the March 2026 agreement explicitly allows the UK Royal Navy to “respond to an issue” or hostile vessels inside Irish waters. If a hostile actor threatens subsea infrastructure off the west coast, the UK military now has a formalised, cooperative framework to step in and handle the incident.
The Royal Air Force has been protecting Irish airspace for decades under a highly classified agreement dating back to 1952. Under this long standing arrangement, RAF Typhoon fighter jets routinely intercept Russian long range bombers that fly down the Atlantic flight paths off the west coast of Ireland. While Ireland officially maintains its policy of military neutrality, it completely lacks long range air interceptors, effectively relying on the UK to police the skies off its western borders.
In addition to the March 2026 bilateral deal, Ireland’s government has had high-level talks regarding Irish participation as an observer in the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) framework, alongside the temporary deployment of British warships off the Irish coast for specific security events.
The 2026 defense update formalises a reality where the UK military acts as the primary shield for the “critical maritime and aerial corridors extending into the Atlantic off Ireland’s west coast”.
… what a can of worms.
It would be a nice idea if we could defend any part of the UKs coast line but with SSN availability at rock bottom frigate availability at an all time low and with just 2 Destroyers available I do not think we can defend any part of the UK’s extensive coast line with the current shipping availability. The RAF and FAA and indeed the army would put a dent in any attack but would have a very limited endurance so a sustained attack over several weeks would see the UK with little to no way of defending our critical infrastructure.
It’s so sad that some people like this are so petty and narrow-minded and just want to spin nonsense to further their agenda, ignoring the truth. But equally sadly, there’s bound to be people taken in by it…
Loving the 19th century understanding of naval defence on display here.
If Britain lasted a week I would be Very Suprised..
One look ar our so called Resiliance and Inferstructure will tell you just how Poor our Position is…We Rely heavily on Power,fuel and food imports…!
Conventional military 10yrs away from being fit..
A week Tops and the White flag will be up..@
Imagine how undefended Scotlands air space will be if they voted for independence?
The whole of the UK needs to have land-based anti-ship missiles around the coastline, and stop faffing about. Let alone anti-drone stuff and a LAYERED, FULLY INTEGRATED defence SYSTEM that includes exo-atmosphere anti-ballistics, sub-sea, and cyber. In 1940s the UK had a period-equivalent system.
I’ll get my coat.
Why. Do you think someone’s going to launch a naval landing? This isn’t 1900
Somebody at the back of the class is not keeping up. Homework is to revise 20th Century conflict history, current world events, and the writing on the wall.
This isn’t the twentieth century. But I’d love to know in your hypothetical scenario who is going to rock up with an Armada. Please name a country with the logistical and maritime ability to land an invasion force by sea. It certainly isn’t Russia. China is too far away.
Sounds like somebody is refusing to do their homework. I’ll have to give you a D-, report you to th eheadmaster, and write to your parents or legal guardian.
Always read twice and reply once.
I do know when the 20th Century was, and I never mentioned a large-scale land invasion. You need to gen up on current threats to the UK including: Russian military vessels and naferious other surface and sub-surface activities, and all combined with air, space and cyber threats. For example a container ship sailing with the UK 12-mile limit, or inside Eonomic Zone, would think twice about launching a drone or missile attack on the UK if it knew there were say half-a-dozen NSM’s pointing at it.
Your suggestion of land based anti ship missiles suggests a large scale surface threat. We already have aircraft that can deal with isolated boats, etc. I’ll give you an F for military understanding. There is a reason why European nations don’t have scores of land based anti ship missiles. Time to brush up on your Defense knowledge.
…Again you have ignored the threat I am talking about.
So what RAF aircraft are actually fitted with anti-ship missiles, and how many of them are there?
I suppose every SNP MSP has to get their time in the sunlight otherwise known as media exposure every year it seems this time it was Lara Bird’s turn. I had not heard of the lady before so at least I am now better informed about the abilities and knowledge of another SNP MSP. They never fail to surprise me. Personally I am surprised she did not ask for a warship o be stationed off ARBROATH for her personal protection!.
However how I am supposed to take the SNP seriously at all when they still don’t have a documented and costed strategy and plan for the defence and security of an independent Scotland after this length of time and after the 3 “s” – Salmond, Sturgeon and Swinney have been in power. Nor do have they a clear plan, budget and schedule for the removal of the current UK SSBN and SSN fleet along with RNAD Coulport from a newly independent Scotland to what remains of Great Britain. Of course as far as the SNP think that would be our problem but the reality is that it would also be theirs
I guess you could also argue this for the whole UK. We have no air or land based anti shipping missiles and very limited land based air defence assets. I don’t seriously think the UK mainland is under any threat but it would be badly defended if it was. Insane for an island nation not to have anti shipping missiles, especially considering the Falklands was invaded, which could have been prevented if the landing craft had been spotted sooner with land based missiles. Instead we had a situation where anti tank missiles were used against a corvet.
One needs to define an undefended coastline.
Sure, if the imbecile visualises dragons teeth, flameflowers pre positioned, mines, wire, and pilboxes surveying landing sites with pre positioned GPMGs and artillery already ranged, then yes, the coast is undefended!
Is that what you had in mind, Miss Laird?
Though I can think of a few places actually on the shoreline that have razor wire, high fences, cameras, and you’re not getting into those.
The truth is that the coast in England and Wales is no more protected as Scotland’s. There aren’t going to be invasions of Russian Brigades and Divisions. You could envisage covert landings, which is why individual installations have security, and not all that great, but that’s another subject.
The coast and wider waters is protected and surveyed by various assets, overseen by the JMSC at Portsdown who liaise with HM Coast Guard, the Home Office, Whitehall, the MoD, and Com Ops at Northwood. A Russian vessel will have been on NATOs radar for many days before it reaches the UK.
She might be interested in learning about something called the RMP, Recognised Maritime Picture, which catalogues all vessels, known Submarines, and links to the RAFs RAP, Recognised Air Picture, to watch the airspace and waters around the UK, and assets are allocated accordingly to targets in it.
Now this is where it gets tricky and where, as always, assets to actually act don’t match the capability to see and to know. Which is where HMG keep failing and where the excuses that quality means numbers don’t matter are obsolete.
The RN had a FRE, is it still there or gapped, with 5 Frigates left?
The RN have the Rivers, due to be cut next year and, so far, replaced with zilch, unless the RN further withdraws from the world and brings Tamar and Spey back, the easy cut that Ministers and the Admiralty will pounce on.
The RAF has P8, again, too few.
The SMG and associated SBS Sqn remain on standby to deal with any MCT, and 43 Cdo protect Faalane and Coulport alongside the MDP.
And in desperation, anything available can be used and is, to respond to Russian ships.
A Frigate at all times sitting off Scotland, to me implies that ahe demands that a Frigate is based there as well, not practical with so few resources and, if her own party had their way, even less likely.
As for spending more in the South East of England compared to Scotland, well, that shows your ignorance of history, doesn’t it.
The Defence estate is largely legacy, going back to World War 2, the South and South East have a lot more military, R&D, and intelligence installations as that was where the threats were, where the logistics were, where the railways and supply routes were, and where the people were to staff them and protect the many towns and most of all, London, which no doubt makes her green with jealousy, given her background and beliefs.
No doubt she’ll be demanding that Aldermaston, Burghfield, Porton Down, Hanwell, Cheltenham, and all the Army Garrisons, HMNBs and associated Stone Frigates and RNAS, and RAF Stations decamp to mid Scotland so HMG can spend a fortune there instead to sooth her and the SNPs ego and feelings….
Mate you know if she read your post she would be completely lost, and dribbling fluids down her chin after the third line! These clowns are absolutely clueless about these subjects and just spout off for political gain. OT have you seen the cut of nearly 2 Billion from the Boxer programme? 3 variants chinned off, overwatch, recovery and mortar! On the possible positive side of it, if replaced by cheaper vehicles (recovery may be an issue however) it could be a sensible move, but as history has shown, that cash will disappear to another project, be sold as “new” cash, and the 3 variants “gapped” or forgotten about What’s your thoughts? 👍
Hi mate.
If you look on Land section on here we covered that, there was an article on it.
On this occasion, I support it, as long as the saving is directed into a mass of cheaper Patria CAV, more GBAD, more Artillery, more CS CSS, the usual.
Back in the 80s, MCV80, so Warrior, wasn’t bought in enough numbers for everything. 432 remained.
Same here. The Army wanting Boxer for everything when it’s the priciest APC around is bloody bonkers and someone at Andover needs heads banging together.
Mortar, I think Patria CAVS might be in that.
Overwatch, why use a Boxer, why not Brimstone on a trailer towed by whatever.
REME Recovery is a bad one, assume more of the current heavy Recovery trucks REME use will be sought.
So overall, good move, I want Boxer concentrated in combat roles, with a cheaper vehicle in support providing the mass.
SNP – Special Needs People – and every time they speak on numerous subjects (and most certainly defence) it is proven!