Panic Over UK’s Defense Weakness: NATO Issues Dire Warning on Hypersonic Missile Threat
The UK may not be fully prepared to defend itself against a large-scale missile attack, according to a new report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The report warns that the UK and other European nations lack strong defense systems against intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons.
This has raised concerns within NATO, which has been urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to increase funding for air and missile defense. The urgency of the situation was highlighted in a recent House of Lords debate, where Lord Coaker raised alarms about the UK’s vulnerability to long-range drones and hypersonic missiles.
In response to these concerns, the government has announced an expansion of the Sky Sabre air defense system from three units to nine. Sky Sabre is a high-tech system capable of tracking and intercepting fast-moving threats such as drones, missiles, and aircraft. It was first deployed in 2021 and has been stationed on NATO’s eastern flank to strengthen European defenses.
Despite these measures, NATO’s Capability Target 2025 report stresses the need for the UK to invest more in surface-based air defense systems (SBAD) to protect key infrastructure like nuclear power plants and military bases.
The situation has become more complicated due to changes in US policy. Recently, the US announced that it would no longer share certain intelligence with Ukraine—a move that could impact Europe’s response to security threats. Additionally, many of the UK’s key air defense systems rely on US cooperation for software and spare parts.
However, a senior defense official reassured the public, stating that the US remains the UK’s strongest ally and will continue to support British defense systems.
With increasing threats and pressure from NATO, the UK government is being urged to act quickly to strengthen its defenses. While steps are being taken, experts believe more investment is needed to fully protect the country from potential missile attacks.
