Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Coaker on 18 December 2025 (HL13064), whether only one Type 45 destroyer in the Royal Navy is operational.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Type 45 destroyers HMS Dauntless, Dragon and Duncan are operational.

Type 45 Power Improvement Project upgrades remain on target and Class availability is maximised to ensure that the Royal Navy has been able to fulfil all of its operational commitments.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government for what reason Maritime Counter-Terrorism forces are not used to interdict ships of the Russian shadow fleet when transiting the Channel or other waters close to the UK.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK is committed to countering the Russian Shadow Fleet, a web of rising shadow activity that fuels and finances nefarious activity across the globe, which helps it fuel its illegal war in Ukraine. We are determined to tackle sanctions evasion and shadow fleet activity that threatens our national security and undermines global trade. Working in concert with our allies and partners, we will use the range of tools at our disposal to crackdown on sanctions evasion and illegal maritime activity.

The UK has undertaken a range of actions, such as sanctioning over 500 vessels, to disrupt and deter shadow fleet activity. HMG, including the MOD, is working with international allies to intensify action to have a more assertive approach to counter sanction busting vessels, whilst upholding the international law of the sea.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any ships of the Russian shadow fleet have entered British waters.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The UK Government monitors all vessels in UK waters which are of interest to the safety of mariners, the marine environment and the UK’s national security, and has observed suspected Russian shadow fleet vessels transiting through the UK’s territorial sea.

Since October 2024, the Department for Transport’s Voluntary Insurance Reporting Mechanism has challenged over 600 suspected shadow fleet vessels with unknown insurance, a significant portion of the shadow fleet, to provide their insurance as they transit the English Channel.