If Russia chose to fire Geran-2 drones and ballistic missiles in a sequential fashion, Britain’s early warning systems would keep the homeland safe. But if Russia fired long-range cruise missiles from bomber jets in the Arctic and submarines in the Arctic or North Atlantic, Britain’s defences could be painfully exposed.
There are solutions to this vulnerability. Bronk proposed strengthening bases against missile attacks, investing more in missile ammunition and funding flying hours for Typhoons to practice interception. The former chairman of the House of Commons defence committee Tobias Ellwood supports the construction of a British Iron Dome, which would create a “permanent umbrella of security.”
John Foreman, who served as Britain’s defence attache in Kyiv and Moscow, disagrees with Ellwood’s argument. Foreman believes that the Iron Dome is not tailored for a country of Britain’s size and investing in sensors, command and control and critical infrastructure resilience is more prudent.
Some of the upgrades that Foreman describes are underway. The RAF will incorporate Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, and the Missile Defence Centre is upgrading shore-based radars.
But many of these reforms could take a decade to implement and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also dithering on hard budget allocation decisions. The Strategic Defense Review, which was announced by Starmer on July 16, is set to produce findings in the first half of 2025.
This timetable means that crucial budget allocations for the British military will be finalised in the summer at the earliest. This inopportune delay, which coincides with soaring tensions with Russia and spiraling conflict in the Middle East, must be rectified.
Israel’s resilience in the face of Iranian ballistic missile attacks was a remarkable show of strength. It was also a painful reminder of Britain’s defensive foibles.
Dr Samuel Ramani is an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute