In brief
Gen Paul Tedman of UK Space Command disclosed that Russian satellites are actively tracking British military satellites on a weekly basis, along with attempts to jam their communications. This activity has surged since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, raising concerns over the security and effectiveness of UK space assets which are significantly outnumbered by Russian and Chinese capabilities. The UK's commitment to enhancing its satellite defenses reflects its strategic priority amid an increasingly congested and contested space environment.
Russian satellites have been stalking British military satellites, according to the head of the UK Space Command.
In an interview with the BBC, Maj Gen Paul Tedman has for the first time set out the level of interference from Moscow against the UK's space-based assets.
He said Russia had also been trying to jam the UK's military satellites with ground-based systems every week.
Last month Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, said Russia had been shadowing satellites used by their military.
General Tedman provided details on Russia's tactics, stating, They're interested in what we're doing and flying relatively close. He explained, They've got payloads on board that can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them. Despite counter-jamming technologies installed on UK military satellites, they continue to experience jamming attempts on a reasonably persistent basis. When asked how often, Tedman revealed, weekly. He emphasized that this activity has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The UK currently operates a limited number of military satellites, approximately six, in contrast to the more than a hundred owned by the US, China, and Russia. The combined fleet of Russian and Chinese satellites has increased by 70% over the last decade. Gen Tedman also noted that both Russia and China have tested anti-satellite weapons, highlighting the risk of potential conflicts in space.
While the US perceives China as a pacing threat, Gen Tedman views Russia as the more immediate danger, emphasizing that although China's space capabilities are more sophisticated, Russia demonstrates a greater willingness to utilize its counter-space systems.
Concerns over space congestion are increasing as around 45,000 objects, including approximately 9,000 satellites, currently orbit Earth. Expecting 300 rocket launches this year, Tedman underscores the importance of prioritizing investments in space.
The UK government is pledging to enhance its space and missile defense systems, which includes testing sensors for detecting laser threats, a tactic employed by both China and Russia to disrupt adversary satellites. Gen Tedman stated, We've committed to invest a billion pounds into integrated air and missile defense, and I'd be surprised if there's not a space aspect to how we're going to defend the UK from threats very similar to [America's] Golden Dome, referring to a US anti-missile defense initiative.
However, the UK risks falling behind in the space race as it currently allocates only about 1% of its defense budget to space operations, compared to France's 3% and the US's 5%. Gen Tedman advocates for increased prioritization of space, noting that approximately £450 billion of the UK economy relies on space operations, crucial for military functions ranging from navigation to precision strikes.
In a demonstration of the ongoing threats faced in space, an alert for a ballistic missile launch issued during Tedman’s visit to RAF Fylingdales emphasizes the continuing dangers posed by Russia.
