• About us
  • Home
Saturday, July 26, 2025
IrishPolity
  • Hard brexit
    Political elites' disconnect from the masses

    The Failure of Brexit is the Cause of the Political Elites’ Disconnect from the Masses

    Political influence on mental health issues

    Political Influence on Mental Health Issues: Brexit Is a Bitter and Disastrous Experience

    Financial hardship in the UK

    The Economic Failure of Conservatives: Deepening Financial Hardship in the UK

    Public support for dropping Wales

    The Rise of the Wave of Independence: The Possibility of the Breakup of the British Kingdom is Gaining Strength

    Generation Z's Confidence in the EU

    Brexit and Beyond: Inside the Generation Z Perspective Shift

    UK national debt

    Is the UK Drowning in Debt? The Shocking Truth Revealed!

    Impact of Brexit on veterinary medicines

    Why the Windsor Framework is Failing to Protect Veterinary Medicine

  • Politics
  • Society
  • Irish Unity
  • United Kingdom
  • World
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
IrishPolity
No Result
View All Result

Home » The UK Missile Defence System: Strengthening Against Modern Threats

The UK Missile Defence System: Strengthening Against Modern Threats

UK missile defence system

One after another, European countries have approved plans to strengthen their military forces. They are trying to prepare for a full-scale global war. In the EU, more than 2 billion euros have been allocated to rapidly constructing new munitions factories at an unprecedented pace since World War II. Meanwhile, military sources and Cold War veterans claim that the missile threats from Russia and other hostile states are increasing.

 

On the other hand, according to a new report from the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, the UK missile defence system is weak. Discussions about creating a missile defence system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome have intensified. Britain’s missile defence systems are old and unable to defend against new missiles. Britain is also large, making it expensive and difficult to deploy a missile defence system for the whole country. This article examines the British defence system and the weaknesses of its capabilities against modern attacks.

UK missile defence system

Military budgets of European countries, along with urgent measures

European countries are increasing their military budgets. France has increased its defence budget in the past 8 years. France is predicted to surpass the UK’s defence budget by 2027. In addition, the Netherlands, which had been on a downward trend in its defence budget for several decades, has reversed this trend in the past 2 years. The Netherlands plans to double its defence budget in 5 years. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are also increasing their defence budgets. Even Germany, the first country to rapidly reduce its defence budget after the Cold War, doubled its military budget after the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Everything indicates the possibility of a global war. Unlike other European countries, Britain’s military capabilities have weakened in recent years. In the meantime, the UK missile defence system is, according to evidence, severely weakened.

 

The UK government’s inaction in increasing defence budget

The Independent criticized the UK government’s inaction in increasing the defence budget, referring to the increase in defence budgets among many European countries. This weakness is most evident in the UK missile defence system. London is under the security umbrella of NATO. To reach Britain, Russia must first pass through the Baltic countries and Finland, cross the Baltic Sea, face Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and then cross the North Sea.

 

Weaknesses in the UK missile defence system

The NATO alliance is based on the principle that “an attack against one of us is an attack against all”. Britain is severely under-defensive in some respects compared to its neighbours. If a NATO member were to invoke Article 5 of the military alliance, the UK government would be unable to provide military support. At that time, the UK government could not cite economic constraints as a valid reason for this inability. Military experts have warned that structural weaknesses in the UK missile defence system have made the country vulnerable to potential attacks. General Richard Barrons stressed that the UK should follow a defence model known as “Hedgehog Britain”. According to this defence model, the UK should develop its missile defence systems in a way that is safe from potential threats from Russia and other adversaries, including hypersonic missiles.

 

Britain’s weakness against modern military attacks

Britain is defenceless against many types of modern attacks. Tony Radakin, the chief of the British army, recently emphasized at a defence conference the need to follow the Nordic and Baltic countries in strengthening the UK missile defence system. The British Navy cannot even deploy an aircraft carrier group in a region without relying on US ships and aircraft. The British army cannot even field a 15,000-strong division of its 70,000-strong force. The British army’s ammunition is only enough for a month of war. On the other hand, out of the British fleet of 100 Typhoon fighters, only a little more than 20 fighters are ready to carry out operations.

 

Britain seeks to launch Iron Dome.

Tony Radakin, the UK chief of defence staff, says Britain may need an Iron Dome-style missile defence system. He said talks are underway between UK defence chiefs to create an Iron Dome-style defence system. The military official said that London and its European allies are exploring various initiatives to defend itself against the growing international threat. Previously, former British defence minister Mark Francois had also said that the country needs a defence system similar to Israel. However, experts say that setting up the Iron Dome in the UK will be more complicated and expensive due to the larger area of ​​the country than Israel.

 

Britain is more vulnerable than ever to military threats.

Within the next 15 years, a ballistic missile will be able to reach the UK from anywhere in the world. Countries such as China and Russia are rapidly developing their ballistic missiles that can cross continents at high speed. Several NATO countries have recently expressed concern and frustration that the UK is not doing enough to protect Europe from long-range missile attacks. The war in Ukraine has prompted European countries to consider buying more air defence systems. The UK has no ground-based air defences to protect its critical infrastructure from ballistic missiles. This gap and weakness have become a significant concern for the UK government. Failure to urgently strengthen the UK missile defence system will leave British cities increasingly vulnerable.

RelatedPosts

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists
Politics

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists for Palestinian Suffering

by PolityPundit PolityPundit
July 20, 2025
0

Diplomatic pressure on Israel by the UK includes sanctions this time. Itamar BEN-GVIR and Bezalel Yoel SMOTRICH are responsible for...

Read more
The Labour Party's relationship with the Trump Administration

Labour Party vs the Trump Administration: A Strategic Divide in Transatlantic Relations

July 18, 2025
at least 60 planes carrying weapons have flown over Ireland this year alone

Irish Neutrality and Israel: Sending Weapons Is Not Neutrality  

July 16, 2025
Economic crisis pressures

Personal insolvency trends UK: Economic crisis pressures citizens

July 12, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

  • All
  • Hard brexit
  • Irish Unity
  • Politics
  • Society
The Irish Unity Referendum 2023 Is Probable; The British Union Is Hanging by a Thread!

The Irish Unity Referendum 2023 Is Probable

August 29, 2022
The Achievements of Nicola Sturgeon

The Achievements of Nicola Sturgeon

July 17, 2022
The UK is preparing for war against Russia

Britain must prepare for war against Russia

August 3, 2022
Irish unification: the political convergence of Sinn Fein with Unionists.

Irish unification: the political convergence of Sinn Fein with Unionists

May 2, 2022
Democratic Unionist Party

Irish Nationalism vs. Unionism: Exploring the Battle That Won’t Quit

September 23, 2023
Russia-Ukraine war: Impact on China's trade development

Russia-Ukraine war: Impact on China’s trade development

March 9, 2022
Load More

Welcome to Irish Polity, your go-to source for insightful analysis and comprehensive information on Irish politics. We strive to bridge the gap between citizens and politics, fostering inclusive dialogue. Our platform offers unbiased content, empowering all levels of interest. Join us for a journey into the heart of Irish polity—a space where knowledge meets engagement.

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists
Politics

Diplomatic Pressure on Israel: Sanctioning Extremists for Palestinian Suffering

July 20, 2025
The Labour Party's relationship with the Trump Administration
Politics

Labour Party vs the Trump Administration: A Strategic Divide in Transatlantic Relations

July 18, 2025
at least 60 planes carrying weapons have flown over Ireland this year alone
Politics

Irish Neutrality and Israel: Sending Weapons Is Not Neutrality  

July 16, 2025
Economic crisis pressures
Society

Personal insolvency trends UK: Economic crisis pressures citizens

July 12, 2025
An estimated 200 thousand people marched from Russell Sq. to Whitehall, demanding an end to Israel's human rights abuses, a stop to arms sales to Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
Politics

Britain’s Commitment to Israel: Who Pays the Price of Pushing the Conflict?

July 12, 2025
The recent diplomatic row between Israel and the UK has generated global interest,
Politics

A Diplomatic Subtlety: UK-Palestine relations 2025 Map New Courses Path

July 12, 2025
UK Healthcare Rare Illness Failures: A System That Leaves the Vulnerable Behind
Society

UK Healthcare Rare Illness Failures: A System That Leaves the Vulnerable Behind

July 12, 2025
Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane's wife Lene and daughter Tina speaking next to his coffin before it leaves his family home on Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
Irish Unity

Brendan McFarlane’s Death: The Life, Struggle, and Legacy of an Irish Republican

July 4, 2025
Public support for Gaza in the UK
Politics

Growing Public Support for Gaza in the UK: What is Starmer’s position?

May 24, 2025
Tell MAMA Funding Cuts
Politics

TELL MAMA Funding Cuts; A Dangerous Shift Amid Rising Islamophobia

May 7, 2025

© 2022 Irish Polity

No Result
View All Result
  • Hard brexit
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Irish Unity
  • United Kingdom
  • World