Tories pledge £10bn for British anti-missile defence system
The Conservatives say their plan would protect the UK at a time when Nato allies have warned of Russian drone incursions.
By BBC News
The Conservatives have proposed spending £10bn on a new UK air defence system designed to counter missile, aircraft and drone threats.
The plan, named the “Britannia Shield”, would include new radar technology, upgraded command and control systems, interceptor missiles and counter-drone equipment.
The party says the system would help protect the UK as Nato allies warn of Russian drone incursions.
The proposal was outlined at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. Conservative defence spokesman James Cartlidge is expected to describe it as one of the most significant British military initiatives since the Cold War.
The Conservatives say the funding would come within their existing commitment to raise defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product by 2030. They have said this would be paid for through welfare reforms and changes to existing spending priorities.
The proposed system would be modelled on the British Army’s Sky Sabre air defence network, which can intercept missiles and aircraft and connect with wider air defence capabilities.
Sky Sabre was used by the UK in the Middle East earlier this year during efforts to protect against attacks from Iran.
Labour has criticised the proposal. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the Conservatives had reduced the Army to its smallest size since the Napoleonic era and left a £17bn gap in the defence equipment plan.
The current Labour government’s defence investment programme includes more than £350m to double the number of Sky Sabre systems operated by the British Army.
The Conservatives’ proposal would add new radar, interceptor missiles and counter-drone technology to that wider air defence network.