The breakout of renewed conflict in the Middle East is yet another reminder – for this is not the first missile war in the region, and the Russian bombardments of Ukraine have been going on for years now – that missiles and missile defences are a core component of a modern military.

Listen to this article

Yet, the UK remains dangerously far behind on this front.

To be fair, the UK does possess some strong capabilities. Type 45 warships track hundreds of targets, hundreds of kilometres away, with Sampson radar, and carry 48 Aster missiles to intercept them. The Army has Sky Sabre missile batteries, and numerous innovative British systems are on trial either at home or in Ukraine, including the Gravehawk automated turret and the Dragonfire laser weapon. The RAF’s aircraft are also capable drone and missile hunters, and its Storm Shadow missiles have been a massive boost to Ukraine’s ability to throw the Russians off........

© LBC