Today’s defence related news includes coverage of the first Defence Space Conference taking place today.
Defence Space Conference
There has been widespread coverage of the news that the RAF will take control of military space operations and increase the number of personnel defending the UK's interests in space. The announcement that the Defence Secretary will launch the UK's first space strategy to counter intensifying threats emerging in space was covered by BBC Radio 4, BBC Online, Sky News, The Sun, Daily Mail, The Times, The Guardian, Independent, Daily Record and The Financial Times.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
We must make sure we are primed and ready to deter and counter the intensifying threats to our everyday life that are emerging in space. That’s why today I’m announcing the RAF is taking the lead in this area and why we plan to increase the number of personnel covering space.
Satellite technology is not just a crucial tool for our Armed Forces but vital to our way of life, whether that be access to our mobile phones, the internet or television. It is essential we protect our interests and assets from potential adversaries who seek to cause major disruption and do us harm.
Britain is a world leader in the space industry and our defence scientists and military personnel have played a central role in the development of the EU’s Galileo satellite programme alongside British companies, so it is important we also review our contribution and how we plan for alternative systems in this crucial area.
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