NATO has asked Britain to strengthen its air and missile defense systems (ABM and ABM) after assessing that the country is vulnerable to missile attacks, according to sources in the British Ministry of Defense, as reported by the London Times.
NATO will include this request in the updated list of requirements for the armed forces of member states for 2025.
A NATO commission’s recent combat readiness review identified weaknesses in the UK’s air defense and ABM systems. As a result, officials created a draft plan called “Capability Target 2025,” stressing the need for increased investment in air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants and military bases.
Some NATO countries have expressed disappointment over the UK’s relatively small contribution to defensive measures needed to protect Europe from long-range missile attacks.
The situation has become more urgent with Russia’s missile attacks on Ukraine, which led many European countries to urgently purchase additional air defense systems. However, the UK lacks ground-based air defense systems capable of protecting critical infrastructure and populated areas from ballistic missile threats.
A senior defense official explained that Britain’s weak air defense stems from the belief that it wasn’t necessary for the past three decades. However, he noted that events in Ukraine and the Middle East have proven otherwise. “Many people think Britain is safe, but that is no longer the case,” he added.
Another defense official warned that Britain could face attacks from “any direction” if a ship, submarine, or aircraft launched a ballistic missile. “Within the next 15 years, a ballistic missile could reach Britain from anywhere in the world. But addressing this threat requires significant financial investment,” he said.
Britain is providing Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, which Kyiv has used to target Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously warned that NATO, the US, and Europe would consider attacks on Russian soil with Western missiles an act of war against Russia.
Admiral Tony Radakin, the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff, recently reassured that in the event of an attack by Russia, the UK is ready to respond with a “superior response.” He added that this message has already been communicated to Moscow, reducing the likelihood of Putin launching direct strikes on Britain or NATO.
