Kemi Badenoch has pledged to create a £10billion British “Iron Dome” air defence system to guard against missile and drone attacks if she becomes prime minister. The so-called “Britannia Shield”, modelled on the Israeli system, would be one of the UK’s most significant military programmes since the Cold War.
The Daily Express understands it will cover the British Isles and UK overseas territories, including the Falklands. The announcement comes as war continues to rage in Europe and Vladimir Putin’s sabre-rattling against NATO intensifies.
Funding and political divide
Mrs Badenoch said it will be funded by slashing welfare and cutting needless government spending. It also draws a major dividing line with Labour, with Andy Burnham’s perceived “weakness” on defence. The Prime Minister triggered outrage last month when he said national security “can’t come at the expense of social security”.
The Tory leader, who was enraged by his remarks, said: “The first duty of government is to defend the country and keep people safe. Labour are failing that basic test.”
“The world will not wait for Britain to get ready. War has returned to Europe. Missiles and drones are transforming warfare in the Middle East. Cheap weapons can now threaten cities, military bases and critical infrastructure in ways that would have sounded like science fiction a generation ago.”
“If a missile or drone is launched at Britain, we do not get a second chance to wish we had prepared. That is why today we are announcing Britannia Shield: a new national missile-and-drone defence system to protect the whole United Kingdom, our sovereign territories and British bases overseas.”
Falklands tensions and system details
The Falklands have come under the spotlight in recent months amid renewed tension with Argentina over ownership of the South Atlantic islands. Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, an ally of Donald Trump, reiterated his country’s claim to the Falklands in a national televised address last month, saying the islands “are our future”.
The US president said he expects to be called upon to “settle” any potential conflict in the ongoing row over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Dublin, Mr Trump said the UK would not “be willing to travel that far” if there was an invasion similar to the one in 1982, explaining that it would take the UK “weeks by boat” to get there.
The Britannia Shield would use radar, command systems and interceptor missiles to counter threats ranging from drones to long-range missiles. It would be fully mobile on land and sea. The £10billion investment would be funded through a fully costed plan to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, the Tories said.
Several countries have bought or sought Iron Dome technology as global hostility ramps up. Israel uses an Iron Dome system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets, artillery and mortars. Mr Trump is planning a Golden Dome missile defence system for the US.
Conference announcement and Labour pressure
In his speech at the Tory party conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, Shadow Defence Secretary James Mr Cartlidge will say: “Today I’m announcing that the next Conservative government would deliver the most significant upgrade to UK air defence for generations.”
“It’s called Britannia Shield – a fully integrated, multi-layered missile defence system, capable of protecting our nation from drone and missile attack.”
“With a £10billion budget, this would be one of Britain's most significant military programmes since the Cold War. But one that is totally necessary because of the threats we face. And only possible because of our willingness to take the tough decisions to fund defence.”
Mr Burnham and his Chancellor, John Healey, are under pressure to adequately fund defence in their upcoming Budget on October 28. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting insisted last week at Labour’s conference that he would not be “complacent” in talks with the Treasury on boosting defence spending.
Mr Healey resigned as defence secretary in a row over military spending, accusing the Treasury of being “unwilling to commit the resources that the nation needs” to defend itself. But he now faces pressure to boost defence spending at the Budget and next year’s spending review despite a background of rising borrowing costs, sluggish economic growth and the fallout from the Iran war.
The UK has promised to commit 3.5% of its national income to defence by 2035, in line with a pledge by NATO members. The Government has budgeted to hike defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2027-28, but Mr Burnham’s MPs and critics insist he needs to set out firm details on how further increases will be achieved beyond then.
Mrs Badenoch said: “Families can make their own choices. Businesses can build and innovate. But only government can defend the country.”
“Yet Labour still will not commit the money Britain needs for defence. They keep pouring billions into a broken welfare system while leaving our security underfunded. When forced to choose, they pick social security over national security.”
She added: “The threat is here. Britain must be ready. And Britannia Shield will help make sure we are.”
The Prime Minister is also under pressure to fully fund the £5 billion shortfall in the Defence Investment Plan. Labour has been contacted for comment.
