Moscow Persistently Targeting British Space Assets, Space Command Head Reports
Moscow is trying to disrupt UK military satellites on a regular basis, as stated by the leader of the British Space Command.
Maj Gen Paul Tedman revealed that Moscow's military were actively trying to interfere with UK-based military activities “weekly” and were closely monitoring the nation's orbital systems.
“We’re seeing UK space assets being jammed by the Russians on a fairly regular basis,” he stated.
The United Kingdom manages about six specialized defense space systems for communications and surveillance, which Tedman said were outfitted with counter-jamming technology.
He added: “They’ve got equipment on board that are able to observe our satellites and are trying to collect data from them.”
Global Space Threats
The threat of space-based interference extends beyond the UK. Earlier this fall, the German defense minister, the German official, announced that Russia had been tracking Intelsat space systems used by the German armed forces.
“They can jam, disable, control or physically damage space assets,” he said at a space conference in Berlin.
Cooperative Countermeasures
Reacting to growing international tensions, the United Kingdom and United States last month executed their first coordinated satellite manoeuvre in orbit, in what defense officials described as a major step forward in allied cooperation.
Between 4 and 12 September, a American space asset was repositioned in space to inspect a British space system and confirm it was functioning properly. The operation was part of Operation Olympic Defender, a joint military framework aimed at improving satellite defence and durability.
“Expertly executed with American Space Command, I could not be more pleased or proud of the rapid progress we are making with our partners,” the general commented.
Increasing Tensions
The escalation in space occurs while tensions with Russia continue to rise.
The UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, stated recently that the UK was prepared to respond after the American leader, President Trump, publicly urged NATO partners to intercept encroaching Russian planes.
During an address to the UN in last month, Cooper censured Russia's “inflammatory and irresponsible” violations of NATO territory in recent weeks, including incidents over Estonia, Eastern Europe and Southeastern Europe.
