Britain to intensify defence against space 'threats'

Britain will boost the number of defence personnel working in the space sector by a fifth over five years to counter ‘intensifying threats’, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said on 21 May.

Williamson also confirmed that Britain was looking at ‘alternative systems’ for satellite navigation following doubts about its role in the European Union's (EU) long-awaited Galileo project after Brexit.

Launching the country's first defence space strategy, Williamson announced the Royal Air Force (RAF) will take on responsibility for ‘command and control’ of military space operations.

The increase in staffing will take the number of people working in the sector to more than 600 by 2023.

Williamson said: ‘We must make sure we are primed and ready to deter and counter the intensifying threats to our everyday life that are emerging in space.

‘That's why today I'm announcing the RAF is taking the lead in this area and why we plan to increase the number of personnel covering space.’

The space strategy will include plans to protect British operations against emerging space-based threats, such as the jamming of civilian satellites used for broadcasters and satellite navigation to support military capabilities.

The government announced earlier in May 2018 that it is also exploring the development of its own satellite navigation system to rival the EU's Galileo project and the dominant US GPS system.

Britain hopes to start tendering for the programme later in 2018, with Australia a possible partner, the Financial Times reported on 21 May.

Williamson said: ‘Britain is a world leader in the space industry and our defence scientists and military personnel have played a central role in the development of the EU's Galileo satellite programme alongside British companies.

‘So it is important we also review our contribution and how we plan for alternative systems in this crucial area.’