RAF launches first ever space squadron dedicated to defending Britain's satellites
The RAF has established No. III Space Effects Squadron, the UK’s first unit dedicated to countering hostile actions against British satellites, marking a shift in space defence strategy.
The Royal Air Force has launched No. III Space Effects Squadron, the first dedicated unit to protect UK satellites from hostile threats. The squadron will disrupt, degrade, and deny enemy activities targeting British interests in space, integrating personnel from across the Armed Forces. It complements existing units focused on monitoring threats, using advanced technology such as Electronic Warfare to counter hostile actions in orbit.
The new squadron supports both offensive and defensive space operations, with plans to expand as new capabilities are introduced. Its formation aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to maintain control of space, a domain increasingly critical to national security and daily life. The Chief of the Air Staff announced the unit at the UK Space Power Conference, highlighting its role in safeguarding satellite-dependent infrastructure.
The UK government has emphasised the growing threats to satellites, which underpin essential services such as communications, navigation, and emergency response. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stated that space is now a domain of direct competition, requiring modernised armed forces to deter or defeat adversaries. The squadron’s work contributes to the UK’s Space Strategy and Strategic Defence Review, ensuring freedom to operate in space while denying the same to adversaries.
The formation of No. III Space Effects Squadron is part of a broader effort to enhance the UK’s space warfare capabilities, including Electronic Warfare and countermeasures against anti-satellite weapons. The government remains committed to peaceful and sustainable use of space, ruling out destructive anti-satellite missile testing and promoting responsible space behaviours through international partnerships.