UK to launch new military squadron to defend satellites

Britain is set to establish a new Royal Air Force squadron tasked with protecting the country’s military satellites from threats in space.

The Ministry of Defence said the new unit will be known as No III Space Effects Squadron. It will focus on protecting critical satellites used for communications and systems that provide warnings about incoming missile attacks.

The squadron will be Britain’s first dedicated military unit specifically tasked with countering hostile activity against British interests in space. Officials said it will be capable of disrupting and weakening hostile operations targeting the country’s space assets.

The new unit is expected to use advanced technologies, including electronic warfare capabilities. It will be responsible for responding to threats after they are detected.

Britain already operates two space squadrons established in 2023. Those units are responsible for monitoring space-related threats and providing warnings. The new squadron will add an operational capability aimed at responding to such threats.

Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth is scheduled to formally announce the squadron at the UK Space Power Conference in London. The two-day conference is focused on Britain’s growing military and strategic interests in space.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to address the conference. He is expected to stress the need for Britain to keep pace with rapid developments in military space technology.

The announcement comes amid growing international concern over the expansion of military capabilities in space. Countries are increasingly developing systems designed to protect satellites and counter potential threats to space-based infrastructure.

The United States recently confirmed that it had deployed weapons in orbit around Earth. The development drew criticism from China, which warned against turning outer space into a battlefield.

Russia has also called for space to remain free of weapons. The developments have raised concerns about a potential arms race beyond Earth.

Military planners are increasingly focused on space because satellites play a critical role in modern warfare. They support communications, surveillance, navigation and early-warning systems.

At the same time, the rapid development of space-based military technology has raised questions about international regulation. There is currently no comprehensive legal framework covering all emerging military capabilities in space.

Britain has previously raised concerns about hostile activity against its military satellites. Last year, UK Space Command chief Major General Paul Tedman warned that Russia was regularly attempting to interfere with British military satellites.

Tedman said Britain was operating six dedicated military satellites at the time. They were being used for communications and surveillance and were equipped with technology designed to protect them from electronic interference.