Britain sets up new space squadron to shield satellites from enemy attacks

Britain is setting up a new military space unit to safeguard its vital satellites from hostile actions. This Royal Air Force unit is called the No III Space Effects Squadron, and it is the nation's first group meant to block and disrupt enemy moves targeting British assets in orbit. The Ministry of Defence states that the squadron will guard important communication and missile-warning satellites using modern technology such as electronic warfare. Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth is formally launching the unit in London at the U.K. Space Power Conference, alongside Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.

Global Context

This step follows a recent confirmation by the United States that it currently has weapons placed in Earth's orbit. That revelation drew warnings from China against turning outer space into a combat zone, while Russia urged that the region remain entirely free of weapons. Officials note that fast technological progress is pushing these moves forward while a broad legal framework is still missing. Last year, Major General Paul Tedman, the head of U.K. Space Command, expressed concern that Russia was regularly trying to jam British military satellites. At that time, Britain operated six dedicated military communications and surveillance satellites fitted with anti-jamming gear.