UK deployed new sensors to boost satellite defense against rising space threats

The UK is deploying new sensors to protect its communications and defence capabilities in response to the escalating dangers of hostile activity in space, particularly from adversaries like Russia, whose forces closely monitor British satellites on a weekly basis.

The government planned to spend approximately £500,000 ($672,750) on the project, which involved the UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency.

A recent UK government security review concluded that Britain urgently needs to strengthen the defences of its military satellites because foreign adversaries are rapidly improving their own capabilities to attack assets in space.

In this regard, the head of UK Space Command, General Paul Tedman, said, “Without their space assets, Western militaries can’t effectively understand, move, communicate and fight.”

Germany’s defence minister warned about a growing threat posed by Russia last week and notably announced an investment of €35 billion over the next five years in space security.

A French company is leading a 1.5 billion euro investment in Eutelsat to compete with services like Elon Musk's Starlink in satellite communication.

The UK plays a central role in boosting its satellite defence, as space is a contested domain, and is urgently investing to enhance its defence capabilities and protect its critical military assets.