UK mulling Israel-style “Iron Dome” defence system | UK | News | EUROtoday

BRITAIN has begun to take steps to see whether or not constructing an Israeli-style Iron Dome air defence system is viable, the pinnacle of the armed forces mentioned yesterday,

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin mentioned the brand new system might defend all the nation, or simply cities and very important infrastructure – however that it will be as much as the subsequent authorities to determine whether or not it’s wanted.

“We are already doing the work nationally,”‘ he advised BBC Radio 4.

“That then offers the chance to supply recommendation to the subsequent authorities by way of ‘Right, these are the choices and is this a Super Dome for Europe?

“Is this a more modest version where you focus on your larger cities and your critical national infrastructure and then what is best for the protection of the whole of Europe?”

Iron Dome offers Israel the ability to counter short-range rockets and 155mm artillery shells with a range of up to 43 miles. It can respond to multiple missile attacks simultaneously and operates day and night.

Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) – as Nato terms it – has been noted as a UK vulnerability for some time, though few governments have suggested any investment.

Just last year, the Defence Command Paper Refresh acknowledged that ‘The challenge of protecting ourselves against attack from the skies, both overseas and at home, is at its most acute for over thirty years – as is evidenced in the war in Ukraine.’

However, critics say making use of the system to the UK, which is 11 occasions bigger than Israel and has 75 cities with a inhabitants of greater than 100,000, could be unworkable.

Last night time Justin Crump, ceo of the Sibylline strategic danger group, mentioned: “ It’s true that Britain’s measurement would make making use of any form of Iron Dome more difficult.

“But Vladimir Putin continues to threaten to ship missiles straight our approach, and it’s refreshing to study that the UK has shifted from the default place of counting on allies to guard us. “