Russian satellites have been observed shadowing British military satellites, according to statements from the head of the UK Space Command.
In an interview with the BBC, Maj Gen Paul Tedman detailed, for the first time, the extent of interference from Moscow targeting the UK’s space-based assets.
He stated that Russia has also been attempting to jam the UK’s military satellites using ground-based systems on a weekly basis.
Last month, Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, reported similar Russian activity, noting the surveillance of satellites used by the German military.
Gen Tedman elaborated on Russia’s actions against the UK, stating, “They’re interested in what we’re doing and flying relatively close.”
“They’ve got payloads on board that can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them.”
Gen Tedman confirmed that UK military satellites are equipped with counter-jamming technologies but added, “We’re seeing our satellites being jammed by the Russians on a reasonably persistent basis.”
Responding to a question about frequency, he stated “weekly,” characterizing the activity as deliberate and noting its increase since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Britain operates approximately half a dozen dedicated military satellites for communications and surveillance.
In comparison, the US, China, and Russia each possess over a hundred satellites. The combined Russian and Chinese satellite fleet has grown by 70% in the last decade.
Gen Tedman also noted that Russia and China have both conducted tests of anti-satellite weapons. Both the UK and the US have cautioned that Russia is developing the capability to deploy nuclear weapons in space.
While the US considers China the primary long-term threat, Gen Tedman views Russia as the more immediate concern: “I would say the Chinese have by far the more sophisticated capability, but the Russians have more will to use their counter-space systems.”
Gen Tedman expressed significant concern about the situation in space, citing not only threats but also increasing congestion. Currently, there are approximately 45,000 objects in orbit, including around 9,000 satellites, with an additional 300 rocket launches expected this year.
The general’s remarks were made during a visit to RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, home to the UK and America’s Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, a function it has performed since 1963.
The three prominent radomes, often referred to as “golf balls,” from the Cold War era have been replaced by a 30-meter (98-ft) pyramid housing thousands of antennas.
The site, resembling a landed spaceship amidst the North Yorkshire moors, is surrounded by sheep, an electrified perimeter fence, and razor wire.
This system provides 360-degree coverage from the Arctic to North Africa and from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Its radar is capable of tracking objects as small as a tin can from 3,000 miles (4,800km) into space.
Inside, heavy blast doors and airlocks suggest its potential as a target for adversaries. In the operations room, UK military personnel maintain a round-the-clock vigil, every day of the year.
The RAF’s 2 Space Warning Squadron demonstrated their procedures for detecting missile launches, utilizing US satellites and sensors to detect launches worldwide.
Gen Tedman described space operations as “a team sport,” but acknowledged the UK’s heavy reliance on the United States, which is responsible for maintaining the radar with support from UK contractors.
The UK officer in charge stated that, along with other sources, “we’d know the UK was under threat probably within a minute.”
Less emphasized is the UK’s current capacity to intercept ballistic missiles, which remains limited.
The UK government has pledged increased investment in both space and missile defense, including measures to protect its satellites. This week, the government will announce tests of sensors designed to detect laser threats in space.
Both China and Russia have developed lasers capable of disrupting or disabling adversary satellites.
Gen Tedman said: “We’ve committed to invest a billion pounds into integrated air and missile defence, and I’d be surprised if there’s not a space aspect to how we’re going to defend the UK from threats very similar to [America’s] Golden Dome.”
He referenced President Donald Trump’s proposal to construct a shield around the US to defend against missile attacks.
However, the UK risks falling behind in the space race, currently allocating approximately 1% of its defense budget to space, compared to France’s 3% and the US’s 5%.
Gen Tedman advocated for higher prioritization of space, highlighting its importance to around £450bn of the UK economy and its increasing role as the nervous system of the UK’s armed forces, from navigation to precision strikes.
Before departing RAF Fylingdales, another event underscored the importance of space.
During filming, an alert of a ballistic missile launch required immediate evacuation from the operations room.
Short-range ballistic missile launches are observed almost daily. While the source of this particular launch was not disclosed, Russia has been known to regularly fire them into Ukraine.
In 2024, over 4,000 missiles were launched globally. Russia was the initial reason for Fylingdales’ creation during the Cold War, and that threat remains.
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