Future war, in which Great Britain will participate, will most likely start… in space. This was stated by Major General Paul Tedman, commander of the British Space Command (UK Space Command), emphasizing the growing strategic importance of the "space domain" in the modern confrontation between states.
According to Tedman, control of outer space is a prerequisite for dominance in the air, And therefore, and freedom of maneuver on land and sea. In the face of new challenges, such as hacking attacks on satellites or the potential use of anti-satellite weapons, Britain must urgently build up its own capabilities in the field of military space.
Why space is becoming the new battlefield?
Interest in space as a military environment is growing rapidly. So, before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, Russian hackers launched an attack on Ukrainian satellite communication systems, effectively opening a new chapter in the history of war. And now, as a British general claims, States seek to control space even before the start of operations in the air, land or sea.
According to the estimates of the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain, space is a key element of national security, therefore, strengthening the satellite infrastructure should be a priority, in particular, signal interception capabilities, observation, navigation and communication.
The need for investments and technologies
Although the space sector received some funding as part of the recent Strategic Defense Review (Strategic Defence Review), UKSC Command believes, that this is not enough.
Difficulties also lie in the low level of understanding among the population. Unlike tanks or fighters, which can be shown to voters, investing in space remains an abstract concept. This creates a barrier to political discourse regarding national security priorities.
Space arsenal of Great Britain
Last year, Britain launched its first military intelligence satellite, Tyche, from SpaceX's spaceport in California. It is planned to create a full-fledged network of satellites to ensure global access to intelligence and high-quality images.
in addition, в RAF Fylingdales (North Yorkshire) an early warning radar for missile launches is functioning, capable of detecting an object the size of a water bottle at a distance of up to 4800 km in space.
International law and realities
Although international agreements, in particular the Outer Space Treaty 1967 year, prohibit placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, geopolitical realities are changing. Among 116 countries, who signed this document, there is also russia, however, this does not deter it from building up its military space capabilities.
In the context of today's challenges, space is no longer perceived as an exclusively peaceful zone - and Britain, together with NATO allies, prepares for scripts, in which the first strike can be delivered precisely from orbit.