Kemi Badenoch pledged a national missile and drone defence network called Britannia Shield if the Conservatives return to government. The proposed 10 billion pound investment would combine radar, command systems and interceptor missiles. The plan targets protection for Britain and its overseas bases, with initial capability envisaged in the party’s first term and later improvements to follow.
Kemi Badenoch pledged a missile and drone defence system called Britannia Shield at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, England. The proposed investment is 10 billion pounds. The opposition party says the network would protect the United Kingdom, its sovereign territories and British bases overseas if the Conservatives return to government. Badenoch pointed to cheap drones changing warfare in Ukraine and the Middle East.[1], [2]
Britannia Shield would combine radar, command systems and interceptor missiles in an integrated network. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge is expected to present further details on 6 October. His proposed timetable envisages minimum deployable capability within the first five years and additional improvements over the following five years. The party has also promised defence spending of 3 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030.[1]
Parliament’s defence committee warned late last year of shortcomings in integrated air and missile defence. Britain lacks land-based interceptors such as Patriot and relies on six Type 45 destroyers for missile interception; only three were operational in January. Their replacement by Common Combat Vessels is planned by 2038. The government has allocated 790 million pounds to protect Britain and overseas bases against air, missile and drone threats. Labour has committed to defence spending of at least 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2035.[1]
