British space strategy: London protects satellites with new space unit

dpa | The Royal Air Force (RAF) wants to better protect British satellites in space from enemy threats with a special military unit. The unit, called No. III Space Effects Squadron, is the first British unit specifically established to actively deter enemy activity in space, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Among other things, it is intended to protect satellites that are used to navigate ships, provide communication links and warn of missile attacks. According to the ministry, rescue services, fire departments and police also rely on satellite-based navigation for operations. The unit will be staffed with specialized personnel and will support both defensive and offensive space operations.

Satellite services are facing “unprecedented threats”, RAF chief Harv Smyth told the PA news agency in London. Space has “become an area of ​​warfare, whether we like it or not.” Britain's opponents in space were acting more and more irresponsibly and provocatively, he warned, citing, for example, Russian activities in space.

The United Kingdom will “never escalate” its military activities in space; no one wants a war in space, Smyth assured, according to the information. “We are positioning ourselves to deter this.” According to Smyth, a significant disruption to the GPS satellite systems, for example, could cost the United Kingdom dearly at 1.4 billion pounds (equivalent to more than 1.6 billion euros) per day.

The announcement came as part of a previously published British space strategy, which, among other things, aims to expand the country's defense and security capabilities in space. Financial resources amounting to the equivalent of more than 9 billion euros are planned for the space sector by 2030.