The UK has warned that Russia is regularly trying to jam its military satellites, raising concerns over growing space warfare threats.
Major General Paul Tedman, head of UK Space Command, told the BBC that Russian forces have been targeting British satellites on a “persistent” basis. He explained that Russia’s systems can track and attempt to collect data from UK satellites, adding that the frequency of these attacks has increased since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The UK currently operates six military satellites for secure communication and surveillance. Tedman said these satellites have built-in counter-jamming technology, but the rising scale of interference remains alarming.
Neil Buchanan, CEO of Lodestar Space, welcomed the public acknowledgment of the issue. His company is developing autonomous technology to detect and track satellites that interfere with others in orbit, along with an AI-based space “fighter pilot.” Buchanan stressed that space is now a vital battlefield supporting land, sea, and air operations.
The threat is not limited to Britain. Last month, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius revealed Russia had tracked German military satellites. Germany has pledged €35 billion for space defence by 2030, citing the risks posed by both Russia and China.
