Latest news with #Vengery
Scottish Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
UK's plan for Arctic island base: How Boris was urged to buy £250m stretch to fend off Putin years BEFORE Ukraine crisis
It comes amid spiralling concern over Russia's soaring presence in the ever more important Arctic ICE FORTRESS UK's plan for Arctic island base: How Boris was urged to buy £250m stretch to fend off Putin years BEFORE Ukraine crisis A REMOTE Arctic base which would have bolstered British strength in the region whilst fending off Putin years before he invaded Ukraine was nearly bought by Boris Johnson. The bombshell revelation was made by a former minister who said he urged his old boss Johnson to purchase a key stretch of Norwegian land in the Arctic when it was on sale for £250million. 11 The UK nearly purchased a remote Arctic base nearly a decade ago Credit: Getty 11 Boris Johnson nearly acquired the territory when he was the Foreign Secretary Credit: PA 11 Foreign Secretary David Lammy started a visit to the Arctic region this week, seeking to bolster British presence there Credit: PA 11 New sanctions have been slapped on the Russian Vengery to stop it towing a huge platform to help repair Russian ice-breakers Credit: 11 Tobias Ellwood told The i Paper that he encouraged the then Foreign Secretary Johnson to make a bid for land in the Svalbard archipelago in 2016 to improve influence and security in the region. The revelation comes amid spiralling concern over Russia's soaring presence in the ever more important Arctic. Experts have named the High North as a crucial flashpoint for future worldwide conflicts with nations set to battle for territory there. Donald Trump has made attempts to increase US presence there, threatening to take the Danish territory of Greenland "one way or another". READ MORE WORLD NEWS ICE WAR How -40C Arctic war with Russia would look with ski battalions and snowmobile raids And Ellwood said the Arctic was a "huge issue, and one that for a long time has been recognised as an area where European, and British particularly, security, could be vulnerable". The UK has also made recent attempts to curb Russian strength there, especially after scheming Vladimir Putin positioned troops on the border of NATO member Finland earlier this month. On Tuesday, the Foreign Office announced sanctions interrupting the journey of the Vengery tugboat. The Vengery was set to tow a colossal 200-metre-long floating dock, designed to help Russia repair its nuclear-powered ice-breakers. These specialised machines are necessary for carving safe passages through frozen Arctic waters. The UK also renewed an "ambitious new UK-Norway defence agreement" and pledged to leverage AI to "detect hostile state activity in the Arctic". And Foreign Secretary David Lammy began a visit of Norway and Iceland on Tuesday - Britain's two nearest Arctic neighbours. Putin's chilling Arctic war warning as tensions rise over US Greenland stance He told The Telegraph: "The Arctic is fast becoming an area of intense focus for geopolitical competition – and a key flank of NATO's defences. "Russia has been building up its military presence here for years." The visit also came as British troops are actively training in Norway as part of a broader NATO effort to deter mad Vlad. Some 90,000 troops are taking part in Exercise Steadfast Defender to rehearse NATO's response to a Russian invasion. The new revelation that Johnson nearly bought a remote Arctic base in 2016 detailed why the Government failed to acquire Austre Adventfjord. The small Norwegian stretch of land sits across the fjord from the Svalbard town of Longyearbyen. It was put on sale by the Norwegian Horn family in 2016. Ellwood said: "[Arctic security] came up when Boris Johnson was foreign secretary, and I was foreign minister, and I tried to get him to buy a bit of Svalbard. "Svalbard is a group of islands and they're quite strategically important." He explained: "We were ahead of our time and [got] pushed back by [the] Civil Service and others." Ellwood highlighted how it would 'certainly have been useful to have assets there, to monitor traffic'. 11 Former Foreign Minister Tobias Ellwood told how he urged Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary to buy the land Credit: AFP 11 Longyearbyen is the largest populated area on the territory of Svalbard and located near Austre Adventfjord Credit: Getty 11 Foreign Secretary David Lammy at SvalSat on Plataberget near Longyearbyen in Svalbard Credit: PA They also planned to operate satellites there to track the threat of Putin. The former minister highlighted why it would have been a great advantage to have bought the territory in hindsight. He said: "For different reasons, it made sense for us to establish a base there, and sadly, it was never to be. "Norway is a close ally, there's no doubt about it, but this was a wonderful opportunity, which sadly we did miss. Ellwood continued: "This is exactly why Trump wants to buy Greenland, because the growing disorder we're seeing is seeing every country defend their immediate surrounds." Austre Adventfjord had also received interest from a Chinese billionaire when the Horn family put in on sale in 2016. But it was quickly snapped up by the Norwegian state for £21million, possibly due to the security threat a Chinese-owned territory could pose there. The Foreign Office did not deny that discussions had taken place over Ellwood's recommendation to Johnson and the Foreign Office in 2016. Another separate Svalbard island also came up for sale in 2024 - but a Foreign Office source confirmed there were no discussions of purchasing it. It is understood that the current Government believes any territory purchased there now would not give the UK a strategic advantage due to the Svalbard Treaty, which restricts military use of the land. However, the chair of the UK Space Agency said Svalbard is already 'one of the most active centres for the collection of satellite data anywhere in the world and an intense scene of strategic competition'. Additionally, European security expert Ed Arnold said that purchasing land in Svalbard would make the UK an Arctic state. This title would boost diplomatic prominence in the region and provide an argument for the UK to join the Arctic Council. Seven of the current eight Arctic Council members are NATO allies, excluding Russia. Ellwood emphasised the importance of Arctic presence, saying: "The significance of the Arctic is all the more important because of the melting ice caps. "It's going to become ever busier… Because this is new and unfolding, Russia has been quick to plant flags in the sea, making territorial claims." He added: "Ultimately, this is testing NATO, because it's a new geographical domain we've not really got our heads around. "Russia is advancing at an incredible rate of knots and therefore there's a greater responsibility to hold Russia in check, not just in Ukraine, not just on the Finnish border, but also at sea as well." The former minister highlighted Russia's long-lasting attempts to seek influence in the region. "The Russians prioritised the Arctic from the 2010s and really, NATO sort of de-prioritised it after the Cold War," he said. "It noticed what Russia was doing, but didn't really respond to it, because they don't want to provoke Russia." It comes as Vladimir Putin continues to invest heavily in his prized Northern Fleet. The Russian tyrant now possesses 18 nuclear-powered submarines and warships equipped with hypersonic missiles. He has also littered his Arctic regions with new military bases as Moscow increases its risk appetite in the Arctic, given its already strained relationship with NATO countries. It also comes as Trump is continuing efforts the take the autonomous Arctic island of Greenland, pressing to acquire it either through purchase or military force. The President said the US 'needs Greenland for international security', but also emphasised the potential benefits of mining natural resources across the island. 11 Svalbard, pictured, in the Arctic which experts believe could be a highly contested area and flashpoint for WW3 Credit: Getty 11 Lammy during a tour led by the Icelandic Coastguard of the NATO Air Base in Keflavik, during his visit to Iceland Credit: PA
The Irish Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
UK's plan for Arctic island base: How Boris was urged to buy £250m stretch to fend off Putin years BEFORE Ukraine crisis
A REMOTE Arctic base which would have bolstered British strength in the region whilst fending off Putin years before he invaded Ukraine was nearly bought by Boris Johnson. The bombshell revelation was made by a former minister who said he urged his old boss Johnson to purchase a key stretch of Norwegian land in the Arctic when it was on sale for £250million. Advertisement 11 The UK nearly purchased a remote Arctic base nearly a decade ago Credit: Getty 11 Boris Johnson nearly acquired the territory when he was the Foreign Secretary Credit: PA 11 Foreign Secretary David Lammy started a visit to the Arctic region this week, seeking to bolster British presence there Credit: PA 11 New sanctions have been slapped on the Russian Vengery to stop it towing a huge platform to help repair Russian ice-breakers Credit: 11 Tobias Ellwood told The i Paper that he encouraged the then Foreign Secretary Johnson to make a bid for land in the The revelation comes amid spiralling concern over Russia's Experts have named the High North as a crucial flashpoint for future Donald Trump has made attempts to increase US presence there, threatening to take the Danish territory of Greenland "one way or another". Advertisement And Ellwood said the Arctic was a "huge issue, and one that for a long time has been recognised as an area where European, and British particularly, security, could be vulnerable". The UK has also made recent attempts to curb Russian strength there, especially after scheming Vladimir Putin positioned troops on the border of NATO member Finland earlier this month. On Tuesday, the Foreign Office announced sanctions interrupting the journey of the Vengery tugboat. The Vengery was set to tow a colossal 200-metre-long floating dock, designed to help Russia repair its nuclear-powered ice-breakers. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest These specialised machines are necessary for carving safe passages through frozen Arctic waters. The UK also renewed an "ambitious new UK-Norway defence agreement" and pledged to leverage AI to "detect hostile state activity in the Arctic". And Foreign Secretary neighbours . Putin's chilling Arctic war warning as tensions rise over US Greenland stance He told Advertisement "Russia has been building up its military presence here for years." The visit also came as British troops are Some 90,000 troops are taking part in The new revelation that Johnson nearly bought a remote Arctic base in 2016 detailed why the Government failed to acquire Austre Adventfjord. Advertisement The small Norwegian stretch of land sits across the fjord from the Svalbard town of Longyearbyen. It was put on sale by the Norwegian Horn family in 2016. Ellwood said: "[Arctic security] came up when Boris Johnson was foreign secretary, and I was foreign minister, and I tried to get him to buy a bit of Svalbard. "Svalbard is a group of islands and they're quite strategically important." Advertisement He explained: "We were ahead of our time and [got] pushed back by [the] Civil Service and others." Ellwood highlighted how it would 'certainly have been useful to have assets there, to monitor traffic'. 11 Former Foreign Minister Tobias Ellwood told how he urged Boris Johnson, then Foreign Secretary to buy the land Credit: AFP 11 Longyearbyen is the largest populated area on the territory of Svalbard and located near Austre Adventfjord Credit: Getty Advertisement 11 Foreign Secretary David Lammy at SvalSat on Plataberget near Longyearbyen in Svalbard Credit: PA They also planned to operate satellites there to track the threat of Putin. The former minister highlighted why it would have been a great advantage to have bought the territory in hindsight. He said: "For different reasons, it made sense for us to establish a base there, and sadly, it was never to be. Advertisement "Norway is a close ally, there's no doubt about it, but this was a wonderful opportunity, which sadly we did miss. Ellwood continued: "This is exactly why Trump wants to buy Greenland, because the growing disorder we're seeing is seeing every country defend their immediate surrounds." Austre Adventfjord had also received interest from a Chinese billionaire when the Horn family put in on sale in 2016. But it was quickly snapped up by the Norwegian state for £21million, possibly due to the security threat a Chinese-owned territory could pose there. Advertisement The Foreign Office did not deny that discussions had taken place over Ellwood's recommendation to Johnson and the Foreign Office in 2016. Another separate Svalbard island also came up for sale in 2024 - but a Foreign Office source confirmed there were no discussions of purchasing it. It is understood that the current Government believes any territory purchased there now would not give the UK a strategic advantage due to the Svalbard Treaty, which restricts military use of the land. However, the chair of the UK Space Agency said Svalbard is already 'one of the most active centres for the collection of satellite data anywhere in the world and an intense scene of strategic competition'. Advertisement Additionally, European security expert Ed Arnold said that purchasing land in Svalbard would make the UK an Arctic state. This title would boost diplomatic prominence in the region and provide an argument for the UK to join the Arctic Council. Seven of the current eight Arctic Council members are NATO allies, excluding Russia. Ellwood emphasised the importance of Arctic presence, saying: "The significance of the Arctic is all the more important because of the melting ice caps. Advertisement "It's going to become ever busier… Because this is new and unfolding, Russia has been quick to plant flags in the sea, making territorial claims." He added: "Ultimately, this is testing NATO, because it's a new geographical domain we've not really got our heads around. "Russia is advancing at an incredible rate of knots and therefore there's a greater responsibility to hold Russia in check, not just in Ukraine, not just on the Finnish border, but also at sea as well." The former minister highlighted Russia's long-lasting attempts to seek influence in the region. Advertisement "The Russians prioritised the Arctic from the 2010s and really, NATO sort of de-prioritised it after the Cold War," he said. "It noticed what Russia was doing, but didn't really respond to it, because they don't want to provoke Russia." It comes as Vladimir Putin continues to invest heavily in his The Russian tyrant now possesses 18 nuclear-powered submarines and warships equipped with hypersonic missiles. Advertisement He has also littered his Arctic regions with new military bases as Moscow increases its risk appetite in the Arctic, given its already strained relationship with NATO countries. Read more on the Irish Sun It also comes as Trump is continuing efforts the take the autonomous The President said the US 'needs Greenland for international security', but also emphasised the potential benefits of mining natural resources across the island. 11 Svalbard, pictured, in the Arctic which experts believe could be a highly contested area and flashpoint for WW3 Credit: Getty Advertisement 11 Lammy during a tour led by the Icelandic Coastguard of the NATO Air Base in Keflavik, during his visit to Iceland Credit: PA 11 The Russian Vengery was set to leave Istanbul but has since been halted Credit:
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inside Britain's mission to deny Russia control of the Arctic
Russia's 200-metre long floating dock was meant to help Moscow control the Arctic seas. In service, the vast craft will assist in repairing nuclear-powered ice-breakers, needed to cleave safe passage through the frozen waters around Nato's northern flank. But the journey of the craft to its home in the Russian port of Murmansk has been interrupted by British sanctions, the Foreign Office announced on Tuesday. The newly designated Vengery tugboat – due to tow the dock out of Istanbul – has returned to Russia, 'leaving the floating dock stranded in the Mediterranean'. The announcement will have put a spring in the step of David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, who on Tuesday began a visit to Norway and Iceland, Britain's two nearest Arctic neighbours. 'The Arctic is fast becoming an area of intense focus for geopolitical competition – and a key flank of Nato's defences. Russia has been building up its military presence here for years,' Mr Lammy told The Telegraph. The Foreign Secretary will observe British and Norwegian ships carrying out joint patrols before announcing an artificial intelligence scheme with Iceland aimed at detecting hostile vessels. 'And as ice caps in the region melt, new shipping routes and resources will be exposed, further heightening the risk of confrontation,' he said. 'That's why we must take action to deter threats in the Arctic.' Moscow is stepping up its campaign to dominate the Northern Sea route, which – when not frozen over – nearly halves the distance ships must travel between Europe and Asia. It is seeking to procure more of the nuclear-powered ice-breakers capable of unblocking the route far from its coasts. And Vladimir Putin has invested heavily in his prized Northern Fleet, which possesses 18 nuclear-powered submarines and warships now equipped with hypersonic missiles. The Russian dictator 'got the drop' over Nato with 'a decade of remilitarisation' in the Arctic before the war in Ukraine began, says Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. Russia has peppered its Arctic regions with new military bases, upgraded the Northern Fleet to replace ageing Soviet craft, and invested in hypersonic, highly precise cruise missiles like the Tsirkon, whose 1,000km (621-mile) range brings Western targets into play. However, the war in Ukraine has stretched the Russian military and it is now 'so much weakened it's almost giving Nato a 'get out of jail free' card,' says Mr Arnold. 'If you invest and take this seriously now, you could potentially ensure supremacy in the Arctic' for the long term, he adds. Together, Norway and the UK form the front line against any Russian attempt to enter the waters of the North Atlantic, from where its vessels could sever transatlantic supply lines – and threaten population centres. In recent years, Moscow has stepped up patrols across the Arctic, accusing Nato of provoking the Kremlin with increased exercises in northern Norway. Like the Russian jets that fly along the edge of UK airspace, triggering a rapid reaction deployment from the RAF, the Russian navy conducts regular military exercises in the Arctic's non-territorial waters. Recent incidents have involved Russian ships sailing dangerously close to Norwegian vessels without warning them in advance over the radio. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is now said to have a greater risk appetite in the Arctic, and is willing to push its strained relationship with Nato countries to its limit. That approach is described as 'overt posturing', designed as a show of force to the Western countries that operate within the Arctic circle. One recent development, surely prompted by Russia's success with drones in Ukraine, is to send unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along its 124-mile border with Norway. The harsh Arctic territory would make it difficult for Russia to send tanks over the border in any great numbers, but drones can operate from the skies with a far smaller footprint than fast jets or ships. The alliance's response to Russia's sabre-rattling has been to step up the military collaboration between the UK and Norway. In a Nato training exercise in the Arctic Circle earlier this month, both countries' navies took part in drills showcasing the ability to shoot down Russia's latest cruise missiles. In Oslo, politicians have proposed a 12-year plan to increase defence spending in light of Russian aggression, and bought new anti-drone and anti-submarine technology. Meanwhile, the UK has deployed its new P-8 Poseidon 'sub hunter' planes, and is sharing defence technology and platforms with the Norwegian military. But in order to truly deter Putin, analysts are calling for a stepped-up presence both in the seas and on land. There is speculation that Labour's forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will result in British forces being permanently stationed in the Arctic, with a standing force modelled on that already deployed in Estonia. The West's navies also need to shift from holding high-profile exercises to continuous operations, says Mr Arnold. That requires more ships. 'What is actually going to worry Putin more will be the fact that - in three or four years' time - the general operational activity in the High North [Nato's term for the Arctic] has increased four-fold and continues to increase. That's what actually builds deterrence.' 'You need naval ships, of course,' adds Per Erik Solli, a retired Norwegian Air Force colonel and analyst at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. 'You need submarines and you need fighter jets, such as the F-35, that are capable of carrying anti-ship equipment. 'The number one priority in Norway is our navy.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Inside Britain's mission to deny Russia control of the Arctic
Russia's 200-metre long floating dock was meant to help Moscow control the Arctic seas. In service, the vast craft will assist in repairing nuclear-powered ice-breakers, needed to cleave safe passage through the frozen waters around Nato's northern flank. But the journey of the craft to its home in the Russian port of Murmansk has been interrupted by British sanctions, the Foreign Office announced on Tuesday. The newly designated Vengery tugboat – due to tow the dock out of Istanbul – has returned to Russia, 'leaving the floating dock stranded in the Mediterranean'. The announcement will have put a spring in the step of David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, who on Tuesday began a visit to Norway and Iceland, Britain's two nearest Arctic neighbours. 'The Arctic is fast becoming an area of intense focus for geopolitical competition – and a key flank of Nato's defences. Russia has been building up its military presence here for years,' Mr Lammy told The Telegraph. The Foreign Secretary will observe British and Norwegian ships carrying out joint patrols before announcing an artificial intelligence scheme with Iceland aimed at detecting hostile vessels. 'And as ice caps in the region melt, new shipping routes and resources will be exposed, further heightening the risk of confrontation,' he said. 'That's why we must take action to deter threats in the Arctic.' Moscow is stepping up its campaign to dominate the Northern Sea route, which – when not frozen over – nearly halves the distance ships must travel between Europe and Asia. It is seeking to procure more of the nuclear-powered ice-breakers capable of unblocking the route far from its coasts. And Vladimir Putin has invested heavily in his prized Northern Fleet, which possesses 18 nuclear-powered submarines and warships now equipped with hypersonic missiles. The Russian dictator 'got the drop' over Nato with 'a decade of remilitarisation' in the Arctic before the war in Ukraine began, says Ed Arnold, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. Russia has peppered its Arctic regions with new military bases, upgraded the Northern Fleet to replace ageing Soviet craft, and invested in hypersonic, highly precise cruise missiles like the Tsirkon, whose 1,000km (621-mile) range brings Western targets into play. However, the war in Ukraine has stretched the Russian military and it is now 'so much weakened it's almost giving Nato a 'get out of jail free' card,' says Mr Arnold. 'If you invest and take this seriously now, you could potentially ensure supremacy in the Arctic' for the long term, he adds. Together, Norway and the UK form the front line against any Russian attempt to enter the waters of the North Atlantic, from where its vessels could sever transatlantic supply lines – and threaten population centres. In recent years, Moscow has stepped up patrols across the Arctic, accusing Nato of provoking the Kremlin with increased exercises in northern Norway. Like the Russian jets that fly along the edge of UK airspace, triggering a rapid reaction deployment from the RAF, the Russian navy conducts regular military exercises in the Arctic's non-territorial waters. Recent incidents have involved Russian ships sailing dangerously close to Norwegian vessels without warning them in advance over the radio. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow is now said to have a greater risk appetite in the Arctic, and is willing to push its strained relationship with Nato countries to its limit. Posturing That approach is described as 'overt posturing', designed as a show of force to the Western countries that operate within the Arctic circle. One recent development, surely prompted by Russia's success with drones in Ukraine, is to send unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) along its 124-mile border with Norway. The harsh Arctic territory would make it difficult for Russia to send tanks over the border in any great numbers, but drones can operate from the skies with a far smaller footprint than fast jets or ships. The alliance's response to Russia's sabre-rattling has been to step up the military collaboration between the UK and Norway. In a Nato training exercise in the Arctic Circle earlier this month, both countries' navies took part in drills showcasing the ability to shoot down Russia's latest cruise missiles. In Oslo, politicians have proposed a 12-year plan to increase defence spending in light of Russian aggression, and bought new anti-drone and anti-submarine technology. Meanwhile, the UK has deployed its new P-8 Poseidon 'sub hunter' planes, and is sharing defence technology and platforms with the Norwegian military. But in order to truly deter Putin, analysts are calling for a stepped-up presence both in the seas and on land. There is speculation that Labour's forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will result in British forces being permanently stationed in the Arctic, with a standing force modelled on that already deployed in Estonia. The West's navies also need to shift from holding high-profile exercises to continuous operations, says Mr Arnold. That requires more ships. 'What is actually going to worry Putin more will be the fact that - in three or four years' time - the general operational activity in the High North [Nato's term for the Arctic] has increased four-fold and continues to increase. That's what actually builds deterrence.' 'You need naval ships, of course,' adds Per Erik Solli, a retired Norwegian Air Force colonel and analyst at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. 'You need submarines and you need fighter jets, such as the F-35, that are capable of carrying anti-ship equipment. 'The number one priority in Norway is our navy.'
North Wales Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Lammy in Arctic mission to counter threat of Putin's Russia
A floating repair dock destined for Russian service in the Arctic has been stranded in the Mediterranean after the tug boat meant to tow it was hit with sanctions earlier this month. During visits to Norway and Iceland the Foreign Secretary will look at the measures being taken to counter Russia's actions in the region, including the threats Mr Putin's vessels pose to important cables and infrastructure on the seabed. New sanctions on Putin's precious ships and his illicit network of enablers will sink his ambitions to prop up his creaking oil industry and fund his illegal war. Only maximum pressure will force Putin to the table. — Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) May 9, 2025 The UK is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to detect hostile state activity in the Arctic, in a joint scheme with Iceland. The activities of the Russian navy's northern fleet of warships and the 'shadow fleet' of commercial vessels used to avoid sanctions on oil and gas exports are increasingly in the spotlight as the war in Ukraine drags on. Russia's icebreakers are seen as crucial assets to clear the routes used for the tankers of the 'shadow fleet' in the north. The sanctions imposed on the Vengery tug meant it was unable to tow a floating repair platform for the icebreakers from Istanbul to the Arctic. Mr Lammy said the Arctic was becoming 'an increasingly important frontier for geopolitical competition and trade' as melting sea ice opens up shipping routes and the potential to exploit oil, gas and mineral resources. The Foreign Secretary said: 'This is a region where Russia's shadow fleet operates, threatening critical infrastructure like undersea cables to the UK and Europe, and helping fund Russia's aggressive activity. 'It's more important than ever that we work with our allies in the High North, like Norway and Iceland, to enhance our ability to patrol and protect these waters. 'That's why we have today announced new UK funding to work more closely with Iceland, using AI to bolster our ability to monitor and detect hostile state activity in the Arctic.' The UK has committed £554,000 for the Alan Turing Institute, with Icelandic support, to explore how AI could improve monitoring capabilities and ability to detect possible hostile activity. During his visit this week, Mr Lammy will become the first foreign secretary to travel to the Svalbard archipelago, deep inside the Arctic Circle, where British scientists are collaborating with counterparts from Norway and other nations to study the impact of climate change. The Foreign Office's global science tactical fund confirmed £400,000 to support UK scientific collaboration in the Arctic. In Iceland, Mr Lammy will visit Keflavik air base, where RAF jets have supported Nato air policing missions.
