Kemi Badenoch is set to announce Conservative plans for a UK version of Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defence system, according to a party press release. The proposal, named "Britannia Shield," would establish a "new integrated air and missile defence system to protect Britain from attack."
Funding and cost details
The Tories say the plan would cost £1bn a year over 10 years, with funding drawn from their previously announced proposal to raise defence spending by £10bn annually. Almost half of this money would come from cuts to housing benefit.
Badenoch is expected to argue that the first duty of government is to defend the country, criticising Labour for failing that test. She will highlight threats from missiles and drones, noting that cheap weapons can now threaten cities, military bases and critical infrastructure in ways that seemed like science fiction a generation ago.
Conference agenda
The announcement comes as the Conservative party conference continues, with Badenoch beginning a round of media interviews starting with BBC Breakfast at 7.30am. The morning session includes speeches from shadow housing secretary Katie Lam, shadow education secretary Laura Trott, and shadow culture secretary Rebecca Paul.
The afternoon session features addresses from deputy leader Alex Burghart, shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, and shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately.
