UK discussing idea of a Super Dome air defence system for Europe, military chief says

The Chief of the Defence Staff says work’s already being done to examine the potential for an Israeli-style “Super Dome” defence system for Britain and Europe.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who was speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said the UK defence’s role is to provide options for the next government.

In response to a question on whether the UK could look to acquire a system like Israel’s Iron Dome, he said: “These will be decisions for the next government that’s formed after the election.

“But what I can say is that we’re already doing the work nationally, in terms of the UK and how we’re looking at this.

“That then gives the opportunity to provide advice to the next government in terms of ‘Right, these are the choices and is this a Super Dome for Europe? 

“‘Is this a more modest version where you focus on your larger cities and your critical national infrastructure and then what is best for the protection of the whole of Europe?’

“Those are the things that will all have to be played into a conversation with the next government… alongside obviously, the cost of these defences and then what priority they’re given.”

In May, Dr Ulrike Franke of the European Council on Foreign Relations voiced her concerns about adopting a model similar to the Israeli Iron Dome in Europe.

Dr Franke acknowledged the fact that the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East had highlighted Europe’s weakness in air defence.

But she warned: “I’m extremely wary about this image of the Iron Dome, about the umbrella over Europe, one country or, let’s be honest, even over one city.”

The expert said Israel was unique because it was a small country that could predict where any air attacks were likely to come from, while an Iron Dome over Europe was not a realistic proposition.

“Europe will not be able – will never be able – to put any kind of real umbrella over all of its countries, all of its cities,” she explained.

She stressed that at the moment Europe had no way of properly protecting itself from missile attacks, but suggested it would be developed, adding: “Let’s not pretend that we’re not going to put up an umbrella over Europe.”

Admiral Sir Tony also mentioned the importance of collective security as part of Nato, a nuclear deterrent, future missiles and a faster way of embracing technological changes.

“I think the really big lessons are an affirmation of UK defence policy, so the importance of collective security and being in Nato and the assuredness that a nuclear deterrent gives you,” he said.

He said it is also vital to “acknowledge some areas where things have speeded up”. 

“So drones and how do we embrace technology in a much faster way than we currently do? And then we’ve also got to acknowledge that the proliferation of long-range missiles is going to continue,” Admiral Sir Tony said.

“We’re investing in our own longer-range artillery, our future missiles. 

“That’s going to continue. And then how do you defend against those and how do you defend against drones? 

“Those are all areas that we will have to look into.”