UK Will Launch New Military Space Squadron
The Ministry of Defence announces a dedicated Royal Air Force unit to protect critical communications and missile-warning satellites from hostile space activity.
London: Britain announced it will launch a new military space squadron charged with defending the country's critical satellites. The Royal Air Force unit aims to counter hostile space activity as global military capabilities rapidly expand.
Known as the No III Space Effects Squadron, the unit is Britain's first dedicated specifically to disrupting, degrading, and denying enemy actions targeting British interests in space.
While previous squadrons launched in 2023 only watched and warned of threats, this new unit will actively counter them using advanced technology like electronic warfare.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth will formally unveil the squadron at the UK Space Power Conference in London. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to warn that Britain must keep pace in the new space race.
The announcement follows recent international developments, including the United States confirming arms deployed in orbit and past warnings regarding regular Russian satellite jamming.
Experts note these escalations occur amid rapid technological advancements without a comprehensive legal framework.
