United Kingdom will create a space squadron to protect satellites and communications

The United Kingdom will create a space squadron to protect its satellites against threats and ensure communications, ship navigation and the detection of missile attacks, the Ministry of Defense announced this Wednesday.

Earth orbit is becoming a strategic field of operations for defense. This month, the United States confirmed sending weapons to orbit for the first time, a move that China denounced as preparations "for war in outer space."

The new British squadron will be presented by the Chief of Staff of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Harv Smyth, during the Space Power conference, which takes place in London between Wednesday and Thursday.

The unit will be called No. III Space Effects Squadron and will join two other squadrons created in 2023. However, while the first two "monitor and warn" about space threats, the new division "will act against these threats using advanced technologies, including electronic warfare," the ministry said.

In 2025, the head of British Space Command, Paul Tedman, stated that he was "very concerned" about "constant" interference attempts and tracking of British military satellites by Russia.

During his speech at the conference, Defense Minister Wes Streeting will underline the urgency of "keeping pace in the new space race":

"Domination of the seas was the key element of deterrence in the 19th century (...). In the 20th century, it was control of the skies. This century will depend on the control of space," he will declare according to excerpts of his speech cited in the statement.