Conservatives propose £10bn ‘Britannia Shield’ inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome
The Conservatives are due to present plans for a £10bn UK air and missile defence system at their party conference on Tuesday. They call the proposed programme “Britannia Shield” and say it would be a major military investment.
The party says the cost would come from its promised increase in annual defence spending of more than £10bn, aimed at reaching 3% of GDP by 2030. The government has allocated about £790m to integrated air and missile defence in its current investment plan.
The Conservatives argue Britain is lagging behind other European countries in air defence. Leader Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of failing to keep the country safe.
The proposal would not simply replicate Israel’s Iron Dome. That system protects a much smaller country and is mainly intended to intercept shorter-range rockets and artillery; other Israeli systems address longer-range missiles.
Military officials say Britain’s existing approach relies on deterrence and expects Nato allies to help if the country faces a direct threat. The government is not expected to say when it will meet the 3% spending target until next year’s spending review.
Key points
- The Conservatives will present a proposed £10bn defence programme called Britannia Shield.
- The party says the plan would be paid for from its proposed defence spending increase.
- The programme’s design differs from Israel’s Iron Dome, and government spending plans remain under discussion.