The UK Government has defended its approach to air and missile defence following a critical assessment by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which warned that integrated air and missile defence remains an “ambition” rather than a reality in Europe.
The IISS report also highlighted that “the UK does not have the capability” to defend against a concentrated intercontinental ballistic missile attack.
Adding to these concerns, the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee’s report Ukraine: A Wake-Up Call, published last autumn, stated that the UK’s overreliance on NATO partners has left its defences “negligible” and urged urgent investment in integrated air and missile defence.
During a debate in the House of Lords, Lord Coaker (Labour) responded to concerns about whether the Government would prioritise defences beyond the existing Sky Sabre system in light of new threats posed by long-range drones and hypersonic missiles.
“The noble Lord raises very important points, but some of them will have to wait for the outcome of the defence review,” Coaker acknowledged. However, he was keen to stress that key upgrades were already underway, stating, “We are increasing the number of Sky Sabre units to nine, which is a significant increase, so we are not waiting for the outcome of the defence review.”
In addition to Sky Sabre, the Government is focusing on upgrading Type 45 destroyers with enhanced Sea Viper missiles to better counter ballistic missile threats. Coaker also highlighted the UK’s involvement in multinational European air defence efforts, including the Diamond Project, which shares missile defence intelligence across Europe, and Sky Shield, which improves information sharing and capability among allied nations.
“Air defence is being looked at by the Government and by all of our allies, because it is becoming increasingly important, not just with respect to defence on the battlefield but with respect to homeland defence as well,” he said. “Clearly, all of us are going to have to look more carefully at that.”
Despite these reassurances, the debate underscores growing concerns about whether the UK is sufficiently prepared for the evolving threat landscape, particularly as tensions rise in Europe and the US signals a more reserved role in NATO.
