Senior defence figures have warned the UK can no longer rely on the assumption that it doesn’t face danger from aerial attacks as the threat from the Kremlin becomes increasingly clear
Britain is developing a new Iron Dome-style missile defence system as concerns grow over Russia’s military capabilities, the head of the armed forces has said.
Senior defence figures say the UK can no longer rely on the assumption that it faces little danger from aeriel attacks. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the armed forces are working towards a new missile system as the threat from the Kremlin becomes increasingly clear. He warned that decades of relative security have left the UK exposed, particularly when compared with Israel and the United States.
Speaking about the changing nature of modern warfare, Air Chief Marshal Knighton said Britain’s air threat has “evolved” and stressed the need to “invest more in our radar capability”. Any future system, he said, would be designed to shield major cities and critical national infrastructure from attack.
The Chief of the Defence Staff told LBC: “We call it integrated air and missile defence, and we have, over 30 years, not really faced a threat from the air in that way.” He continued: “The threat has evolved, Russia’s capability and willingness to use ballistic and cruise missiles has become more apparent.
“It’s become clear that that peace dividend needs to be reversed, and we need to invest more in our radar capability, in our airborne air defence, and also in, ultimately, our ability to shoot down these drones and cruise missiles.”
Air Chief Marshal Knighton acknowledged that the UK is currently lagging behind its allies when it comes to air and missile defence. He cited Israel’s Iron Dome, which intercepts short-range rockets, artillery projectiles and drones – though it comes at a significant cost, with each interception estimated to exceed £2 million, Express reports.
He said the challenge is shared across the Western alliance, adding: “So we know right across NATO that one of the biggest gaps in NATO’s capability is integrated air and missile defence, and we are part of that as the UK.
“That’s one of the highest priorities that the Secretary General set at the Washington summit last year, and I know that that will be an issue that will come up at the NATO Ankara summit in 2026. We will be responding to that as a nation, alongside our allies. And there is a lot to do.”
Air Chief Marshal Knighton has also said the UK’s “sons and daughters” must be ready to fight in the context of this growing Russian threat. He warned earlier this week: “Sons and daughters. Colleagues. Veterans. …will all have a role to play. To build. To serve. And if necessary, to fight. And more families will know what sacrifice for our nation means.”
