Britain announces squadron to protect satellites — Dawn
The United Kingdom has announced the creation of a new Royal Air Force squadron to protect satellites in orbit. Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth said at the UK Space Power Conference in London that space has already become a domain of warfare and that Britain and its Western allies must strengthen their capabilities, Dawn reports.
The new unit will be called No. III Space Effects Squadron. Its task will be to protect critical satellites used for communications and warnings of approaching missiles. According to the British Ministry of Defence, the squadron will counter threats using advanced technologies, including electronic warfare capabilities.
Space operations
The unit will employ specialists from various parts of the defence sector. According to Smyth, the squadron will support defensive and offensive space operations. He also announced plans to create three more units, including a space tactics and training squadron and a structure to develop advanced radar capabilities in deep space.
Britain established Space Command in April 2021 so that commanders of the Royal Air Force, Navy and land forces could jointly manage military strategy, operations and capabilities in space. In 2023, the country also formed two squadrons that track and warn about space threats.
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Statements on Russia’s actions
Smyth accused the Russian Federation, an aggressor state, of disregarding the norms of responsible behaviour by spacefaring nations. He stated that in May, five Russian military satellites allegedly approached two Finnish commercial satellites dangerously closely.
Also, according to Smyth, in June it was confirmed that a Russian satellite constellation had interfered with GPS signals in Europe, Greenland and Canada for at least 75 days since 2019. Last year, the then head of Britain’s Space Command said that Russia had regularly attempted to jam British military satellites.
Smyth stressed that Britain and its allies seek to deter conflict in space. According to him, London will act responsibly to maintain stability and avoid escalation.
