The UK is developing its own Iron Dome missile defence system to protect the country from the growing Russian threat. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the armed forces are developing a similar system due to the looming threat posed by the Kremlin.

Sir Richard explained that the UK’s threat from the air has “evolved” and that Britain needs “to invest more in our radar capability”. He added that the missiles would protect critical infrastructure and major cities in the UK. The high-ranking officer, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff, told LBC: “We call it integrated air and missile defence, and we have, over 30 years, not really faced a threat from the air in that way.”

He continued: “The threat has evolved, Russia‘s capability and willingness to use ballistic and cruise missiles has become more apparent.

“It’s become clear that that peace dividend needs to be reversed, and we need to invest more in our radar capability, in our airborne air defence, and also in, ultimately, our ability to shoot down these drones and cruise missiles.”

Sir Richard also expressed that the UK was lagging far behind Israel and the US in developing such a defence. An Iron Dome is a mobile air defense system developed by Israel that is designed to detect, intercept, and destroy incoming short-range rockets, artillery projectiles, and drones.

However, operating the Iron Dome is extremely costly, with each interception estimated to exceed £2 million.

Sir Richard added: “So we know right across NATO that one of the biggest gaps in NATO’s capability is integrated air and missile defence, and we are part of that as the UK.

“That’s one of the highest priorities that the Secretary General set at the Washington summit last year, and I know that that will be an issue that will come up at the NATO Ankara summit in 2026. We will be responding to that as a nation, alongside our allies. And there is a lot to do.”