Defence Committee publishes Grey Zone written evidence

‘Grey zone’ is a term often used to describe hostile actions that fall between traditional international statecraft and armed conflict. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses a similar term ‘state threats’ and describes these as: “…overt or covert actions by foreign governments which fall short of direct armed conflict with the UK but go beyond peaceful diplomacy and expected statecraft to harm or threaten the safety or interests of the UK or our allies.”

The evidence includes submissions from experts from RAND Europe, as well as academics from the University of Nottingham and the University of Reading. Industry experts from Adarga and SubSea Craft have also contributed evidence.

The MOD’s submission says the Department aims to “foster a truly integrated approach to deterrence and defence” and outlines each of the Services’ capabilities in countering state threats or grey zone activities. The evidence says that “the Prime Minister is ultimately responsible for HMG’s approach to countering state threats”.

The submission states the importance of utilising “our extraordinary international relationships; our historical position as a global leader on security, including our position on the UN Security Council; our position within NATO; and our world-leading institutions such as the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst”.

It discusses how liberal democracies can operate effectively in the grey zone, saying that “other Governments may allow themselves to be less constrained in their actions”. It states that “Russia’s activity and capability development – which spans conventional, nuclear, and novel military technology, state-sponsored disinformation outlets, offensive cyber, hostile activity by intelligence services, chemical weapons, and threats to undersea infrastructure – continues to pose a threat to UK and partner interests”. The evidence explains that Russia seeks “to gain an advantage across the spectrum from competition to conflict”, and that “while Russia’s failures in Ukraine have significantly weakened its land and guided-weapon capabilities, it retains capable nuclear and strategic forces, and has the intent and capacity to rebuild and regenerate”.

The Defence Committee intends to begin its oral evidence sessions on Defence in the Grey Zone following the Easter recess.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: UK Parliament/Tyler Allicock