UK LAUNCHES NEW RAF SQUADRON TO COUNTER HOSTILE ACTIVITY IN SPACE

Thu 24 September 2026:

No III Space Effects Squadron to protect satellites and strengthen Britain’s space capabilities

LONDON — The United Kingdom is establishing a new Royal Air Force squadron tasked with protecting satellites and responding to hostile activity in space, as the government seeks to strengthen its military capabilities beyond Earth.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Britain must “keep pace in the new space race,” according to a government statement.

The new No III Space Effects Squadron will bring together specialist personnel from across the armed forces to help safeguard satellites used for critical services, including missile detection, communications and maritime navigation.

The RAF already operates two specialist units — No I Space Operations Squadron and No II Space Warning Squadron — which monitor space activity and provide warnings about potential threats.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

Squadron to counter threats in orbit

The Ministry of Defence said the new squadron will focus on responding to hostile activities identified in space.

Its capabilities will include electronic warfare technology designed to “disrupt, degrade and deny hostile actions.”

The unit will support both offensive and defensive space operations, with the government saying its capabilities are expected to develop as new technologies are introduced.

Streeting compared the growing importance of space to the strategic role played by naval and air power in previous centuries.

“Control of the waves was the essential ingredient in 19th-century deterrence,” said Streeting.

“That is why Britain built the finest naval power in history. In the 20th century it was control of the skies, and so we built a world class air force to protect us. This century will depend on control of space,” he added.

Protecting critical space infrastructure

The Ministry of Defence said the new squadron would help secure space-based systems that support everyday life on Earth, while improving Britain’s ability to respond to threats targeting satellites and other assets in orbit.

The move reflects the growing military importance of space, where satellites underpin communications, navigation, intelligence gathering and early-warning systems.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22