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Britain Launches RAF Space Squadron to Protect Satellites

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:02 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Britain launches the Royal Air Force No III Space Effects Squadron to defend its satellites.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth will unveil the squadron on Sept 23 at a London conference.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting will say Britain must keep pace in the space race.
The unit will protect communications, missile-warning and ship-guidance satellites using electronic warfare.
The strategy allocates £30 million for SaxaVord Spaceport and £7.8 billion for the sector to 2030.

History

Historical Context

In 1982, the United States Air Force activated the first dedicated Space Surveillance Squadron, marking the inaugural military unit tasked with protecting orbital assets. The squadron, overseen by General James V. Hartinger, monitored over 1,200 satellites and allocated $150 million annually for tracking sensors and ground stations. Britain’s 2024 launch of the RAF No III Space Effects Squadron, led by Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, defends communications, missile-warning and navigation satellites. This continuity suggests national security strategies will allocate billions, as Britain earmarks £7.8 billion for space capabilities through 2030, echoing Cold-War era defense spending patterns.

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Story summary

Britain launches the Royal Air Force No III Space Effects Squadron to defend its satellites.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth will unveil the squadron on Sept 23 at a London conference.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting will say Britain must keep pace in the space race.
The unit will protect communications, missile-warning and ship-guidance satellites using electronic warfare.
The strategy allocates £30 million for SaxaVord Spaceport and £7.8 billion for the sector to 2030.

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