STORY
The Conservative Party has announced plans to invest up to £10 billion over ten years in a new missile and drone defence system called Britannia Shield. The proposed network would combine advanced radar, upgraded command and control systems, interceptor missiles and larger missile stockpiles to protect critical national infrastructure, military bases, British overseas territories and bases abroad.
The Conservatives said a minimum deployable capability would be established during their first term in Government, with the system then expanded and strengthened over the remainder of the ten year programme. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge described the proposal as the most significant upgrade to British air defence for generations, arguing that developments in Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrated the growing threat posed by missiles and relatively inexpensive drones.
The proposed funding forms part of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s commitment to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030. The party said this would be funded through welfare reform and the reprioritisation of existing expenditure, while accusing the Labour Government of failing to invest sufficiently in missile defence. Detailed information about the locations, procurement arrangements and timetable for the individual components has not yet been published.