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Royal Navy may lose HMS Protector, leaving UK without icebreaker

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 10:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Royal Navy towed HMS Protector to Devonport to investigate a double-engine defect.
The 25-year-old ice-patrol ship may be beyond economical repair after a £14 million, ten-month 2019 refit.
The loss leaves the UK without an operational icebreaker, jeopardising its Antarctic Treaty obligations.
Replacement icebreakers likely won’t be ready until the 2030s.
The British Antarctic Survey can still resupply stations using RRS Sir David Attenborough.

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Story summary

Royal Navy towed HMS Protector to Devonport to investigate a double-engine defect.
The 25-year-old ice-patrol ship may be beyond economical repair after a £14 million, ten-month 2019 refit.
The loss leaves the UK without an operational icebreaker, jeopardising its Antarctic Treaty obligations.
Replacement icebreakers likely won’t be ready until the 2030s.
The British Antarctic Survey can still resupply stations using RRS Sir David Attenborough.