The British military has been jamming or blocking satellites from other countries to defend itself from hostile threats, according to reports. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has utilized a ground-based system for the past year, which a defense source stated has already been used to deter adversaries. This system may be employed to prevent hostile nations from tracking the movements of the UK's nuclear-armed submarines or other sensitive military operations involving special forces.
This development coincides with statements from the head of the RAF, who indicated that the UK faces unprecedented threats from adversaries in space. A new RAF unit, the Space Effects Squadron, has been established to defend Britain's satellites. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that this squadron will focus on disrupting, degrading, and denying hostile threats in space.
The MoD noted that the squadron will protect British satellites that are crucial for warning of incoming missile attacks, providing communications, and assisting in navigation. In a speech on September 20, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the reliance of daily life on satellites, mentioning that the loss of GPS could cost the UK economy £1.4 billion per day. He emphasized the growing dependency on space technology for various services, including weather forecasts and financial transactions, and warned that the loss of these conveniences would undermine daily freedoms and trust in institutions.
Streeting remarked that the threats from adversaries are increasing in scale, speed, and sophistication, reflecting geopolitical challenges on Earth. Reports suggest that several nations possess similar ground-based systems against satellites. Last year, the former head of the UK's Space Command noted that Russia was attempting to jam UK satellites weekly.
The defense source characterized the UK's terrestrial electronic warfare capability as world-leading. Recently, the US confirmed it had deployed an unspecified weapon in space to protect its satellites, a move condemned by both China and Russia, which warned of a potential arms race in space. Washington has accused both nations of developing their own space weapons, including electronic jammers and lasers.
In May, the RAF tracked several Russian satellites conducting dangerous maneuvers near Finnish commercial satellites. The RAF's Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth stated that a Russian satellite constellation had disrupted GPS signals across Europe and Canada. The UK operates a limited number of military satellites for surveillance and communication but collaborates closely with the US Space Force, which has a larger fleet.
In a separate address at the space conference, ACM Smyth expressed concern over the increasing number of irresponsible and provocative actions from adversaries. He warned that the absence of satellites would negatively impact technologies that people rely on, making various sectors less efficient, prosperous, and secure. He noted that failures in satellite systems would lead to severe road congestion and delays in emergency services, as well as hinder weather monitoring and climate change assessments.