The UK could be hit by ballistic missiles launched from anywhere in the world within the next 15 years unless defence systems are strengthened, experts have warned the government.
Recent advancements in technological warfare mean missiles can cover thousands of miles of ground, as seen in the Russia-Ukraine war, and by 2040, they could have become sophisticated enough to travel across large swathes of the globe – increasing the risk of attacks all over the world.
While countries including China and Russia appear to be actively responding to such a possibility, both ramping up their military spending by around 50%, the UK runs the risk of falling by the wayside.
The Labour government has committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, but refuses to commit to a timeframe on when the target will be reached. It marks only a 0.3% rise from the current level being shelled out for defence, of 2.3%.
An investigation from the Sunday Times has shed new light on the UK’s ageing and increasingly insufficient air and missile defence as NATO heaps on more pressure to increase spending on Europe’s missile defences.
A senior defence source told the newspaper: “The reason the UK has very thin air defences is because for 30 years, nobody thought we needed it.
“What you’ve seen in Ukraine and Israel suggests otherwise. People don’t think of the UK being in peril. But of course the UK is in peril now.
A second source added: “In 15 years’ time, a ballistic missile will be able to hit Britain from anywhere in the world. But it’s a very expensive problem to fix.”
NATO is likely to request higher spending from Britain on air and missile defence this year and US president-elect Donald Trump called for allies to commit 5%, rather than the current 2% of GDP on defence at a press conference this week.
The UK does not currently have land-based missile defence systems in operation, relying instead on air-based Type 45 destroyer warships – something that risks leaving vital infrastructure vulnerable to attack.
Defence Secretary John Healey has said a new defence industrial strategy will be published this year and has spoken about the UK requiring “innovation at a wartime pace”.
He told journalists in December that British forces “needed to be better equipped” and confirmed the framework would aim defence investment towards UK-based businesses to boost jobs and growth.
A government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to NATO is unshakeable and we are fully prepared to deter and defend ourselves against any threat alongside our NATO allies. More broadly, national security is a foundation of our Plan for Change and is a priority after our armed forces were hollowed out over the last 14 years.”