British Air Force Creates Unit to Protect Space Infrastructure

The British Ministry of Defence has created a new military unit, the 3rd Space Impact Squadron, which will protect British satellites and other space infrastructure. Air Marshal Sir Harv Smith, chief of staff for the Royal Air Force, told The Times that Britain needed to protect space "for our own sake as a nation" and that would protect "modern life on Earth.".

The squadron will use a variety of technologies, including electronic warfare, to "disturb, weaken and block" hostile activity in space. The unit’s mission is to protect the satellites on which critical infrastructure on Earth depends, from navigation, communications and early warning systems to civilian power grids.

The British Ministry of Defense noted that space has become a space of direct military competition. The chief of staff of the RAF accused Russia of “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuvering of Russian satellites near the British, as well as “the use of projectiles in space.” “In recent years, Russian activity has become more serious, and it is clear that in the current geopolitical situation, our concern about what might happen next leads us to conclude that we want to have the capabilities to deter and defend ourselves,” he said.

The UK Space Command already has the 1st Space Operations Squadron, which deals with overall management and coordination. The 2nd Space Warning Squadron monitors space, missile launches and searches for threats.

Alena Miklashevskaya