UK to launch new military space squadron to protect satellites, defence ministry says

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Published: 2026-09-23T09:02:55.354Z • Permanent link

UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace has announced the launch of a new military space squadron to protect British satellites, citing increasing threats from adversaries such as Russia. The move comes after Major General Paul Tedman, head of UK Space Command, warned last year that Russian attempts to jam British military satellites on a regular basis had left him "really worried". The new squadron, which will be headquartered at the Ministry of Defence's Faslane naval base in Scotland, is expected to be operational by 2025 and will be staffed by personnel from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

The decision to establish the new squadron is seen as a response to the growing threat of space-based warfare, with Russia and China both developing advanced military capabilities in the region. In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents of satellite interference, including the jamming of US and British military communications satellites by Russian forces. The UK government has been under pressure to take action to protect its own satellite assets, which are used for a range of critical purposes including navigation, communication, and surveillance.

The new squadron will be equipped with advanced satellite communications systems and will be trained to detect and respond to potential threats to British satellite assets. The move is seen as a significant step up in the UK's space capabilities and is likely to be welcomed by the defence industry, which has been calling for greater investment in the country's space capabilities.

The launch of the new military space squadron has significant implications for the Data Sources domain, with potential impacts on the global satellite communications industry. Companies such as Inmarsat and Intelsat, which provide satellite-based services to governments, businesses, and individuals around the world, will be watching the situation closely. The UK's decision to establish a dedicated space squadron is likely to lead to increased investment in the country's space capabilities, which could have a positive impact on the global economy.

The development of advanced satellite communications systems will also have significant implications for the research community, with potential applications in fields such as remote sensing, navigation, and communication. The UK's decision to establish a new space squadron is likely to lead to increased investment in space research and development, which could have a positive impact on the global economy and drive innovation in the sector.

The launch of the new military space squadron is part of a larger pattern of increased investment in space capabilities around the world. In recent years, countries such as the US, China, and Russia have all established their own space forces, with the US already having a dedicated space force. The UK's decision to establish a new space squadron is likely to be seen as a response to this trend, with the country looking to establish itself as a major player in the global space market.