RAF launches first dedicated space squadron to defend British satellites

The Royal Air Force has launched No. III Space Effects Squadron, the first British unit dedicated to disrupting, degrading and denying hostile threats to the country’s satellites, the Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday.

The squadron was announced by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, at the first UK Space Power Conference in London. It brings together specialist personnel from across the Armed Forces and will use advanced technology, including electronic warfare, to counter hostile activity in orbit, supporting both offensive and defensive operations.

It joins two existing units: No. I Space Operations Squadron, which watches activity in orbit, and No. II Space Warning Squadron, which warns of threats. No. III is the unit that will act against them, defending the satellites that guide British ships, connect mobile phones and warn of missile attacks.

“Space no longer supports operations from the sidelines. It’s a domain of direct competition, where our military advantage can be won or lost,” Smyth said.

In an interview with The Times, Smyth said he was “very concerned” about Russia’s intent in space, accusing Moscow of “unsafe and unprofessional” manoeuvring of its satellites close to British ones and of deploying projectiles in orbit.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is due to give the keynote address at the two-day conference. The government also confirmed £880 million of investment in space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and space control activities between 2026/27 and 2029/30.

Sources

• GOV.UK (Ministry of Defence, 23 Sept 2026): “RAF launches first ever space squadron dedicated to defending Britain’s satellites” — https://www.gov.uk/government/news/raf-launches-first-ever-space-squadron-dedicated-to-defending-britains-satellites
• The Times (23 Sept 2026): “RAF creates space squadron to protect life on earth” — https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/raf-creates-space-squadron-to-protect-life-on-earth-gkmmhvwnw

Note: The Guardian covered the story on 23 Sept (“UK to launch military squadron to protect satellites in space”, politics live blog); the direct article URL could not be verified, so it is not cited as a source.