RAF launches first space attack squadron as Russia's GPS-jamming satellites threaten to cost UK £1.4bn A DAY

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026.

Russia moved five satellites to within striking range of Finnish commercial spacecraft in May, then jammed GPS signals across Europe, Greenland and Canada the following month — and Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth today warned the threat is growing "every day". Britain is fighting back with the No III Space Effects Squadron, the RAF's first unit designed not just to watch hostile satellites but to actively disrupt, degrade and deny them using electronic warfare.

Sir Harv told the UK Space Power Conference that sat-nav failure could cripple emergency services and cause gridlock on Britain's roads, with GPS worth £1.4bn daily to the economy.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting admitted live on air he could not recall the cost of the new squadron, telling his interviewer: 'I'm going to go away and kick myself.'

The squadron will start with 'tens of people' but is expected to grow as new offensive and defensive space capabilities come into service.