The United Kingdom has established a new specialised unit within the Royal Air Force to counter hostile threats to the country’s satellites.
The Ministry of Defence announced the formation of No. III Space Effects Squadron on 23 September, describing it as the UK’s first unit dedicated to “disrupting, degrade, and deny hostile threats in space.” The new unit is part of the RAF’s broader plans to build out capabilities for what Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth described as “orbital warfare” during his keynote address at the UK Space Power Conference.
“To help our nation fulfil the control of space requirement, UK defence is now developing capabilities for orbital warfare,” Smyth said.
According to Smyth, No. III Space Effects Squadron will be staffed by specialist personnel from across the British armed forces and will support both offensive and defensive space operations. He explained that this would include electronic warfare and capabilities to counter anti-satellite weapons.
“These capabilities will help us to deter threats, defend our critical space infrastructure and reduce an adversary’s freedom to operate against the UK and against our allies.” Exactly what systems No. III Space Effects Squadron will operate remains unclear.
European Spaceflight asked the Ministry of Defence whether No. III Space Effects Squadron would operate the UK’s existing ground-based satellite-jamming capability and whether it could provide additional details about the “orbital warfare” capabilities Smyth said were under development. In both cases, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to share any information, saying it was classified.
Three More Space Squadrons Planned
The RAF already operates No. I Space Operations Squadron as part of the National Space Operations Centre and No. II Space Warning Squadron, which conducts operations from RAF Fylingdales. The addition of No. III Space Effects Squadron is part of a significantly larger expansion of the RAF’s military space organisation.
During his speech, Smyth revealed that the service is now planning Space Squadrons 4, 5 and 6.
“And we are planning more,” Smyth said. “Numbers 4, 5 and 6 Squadrons, including a Space Tactics and Training Squadron, and squadrons which will deliver the deep space advanced radar capability. And a Space Defence function working as part of the newly established Integrated Air, Space and Missile Defence Operations Centre.”
This wider expansion comes as the UK is increasing its spending on military space capabilities. The government has committed £880 million between 2026/27 and 2029/30 to space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and space control activities.
As these new squadrons take shape and the budget expands, the Ministry of Defence’s stance appears to be that these capabilities are necessary. Smyth nevertheless emphasised that the development of counterspace capabilities is intended primarily as a deterrent.
“No one wants a war in space,” he said. “We are positioning to deter this.”
