The U.K. has launched a special space unit amid growing concerns about the threats in orbit posed by Russia and other adversaries. In announcing the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Number 3 Space Effects Squadron, U.K. Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth warned of "serious questions about Russia's intent in space." U.K.
Space Command had accused Russia last October of stalking British military satellites. In June 2025, the U.K. joined 29 other states at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council in condemning Russian jamming and spoofing. The BBC reported this week that the British military has been jamming or blocking satellites from other countries, using a ground-based system to stave off hostile threats.
"The confirmation that the U.K. has been jamming other countries' satellites is less surprising than it may sound," Filippo Marchetti, associate professor of international law and technology at England's University of Westminster told Newsweek. "From a legal perspective, what matters is how the technology is used, and against whom." The RAF already operates the Number 1 Space Operations Squadron, which watches what is happening in orbit, while its number two Space Warning Squadron warns of threats. The new number three squadron is aimed at disrupting hostile threats in space, protecting British satellites, warning of incoming missile attacks and providing communications, according to a statement from the U.K.
It will use advanced technology, including Electronic Warfare (EW) "to disrupt, degrade and deny hostile actions," the statement added. During a speech to the U.K. Space Power conference, Smyth said on Wednesday the new squadron will "disrupt, degrade and deny hostile activity to defend U.K. space interests and gain operational advantage for the integrated force." It would also support offensive and defensive space operations but he added "no one wants a war in space.
We are positioning to deter this." "Our new No. 3 Space Effects Squadron will deliver precise, integrated effects to safeguard our national interests in space," Smyth said. Space Strategy, which was updated last week, outlines how space underpins the U.K.'s energy systems, financial markets and national defense. The U.K. government estimates satellite services provide around 18 percent of the U.K's economic activity.
This strategy outlines plans until 2035, which include funding of £7.8 billion ($10.3 billion) until the 2029/30 financial year with the aim of driving growth in the space sector, which can boost the economy and the country's defense. Smyth told The Times that Russia had conducted "unsafe" maneuvering of its satellites close to British ones and was concerned about escalation. In May, the RAF tracked "dangerous maneuvers" by five Russian satellites moving close to two Finnish commercial satellites and in June, Smyth said a Russian satellite constellation had disrupted GPS signals across Europe and Canada.
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