Russian forces are regularly trying to block UK military satellites, the head of the UK Space Command has revealed.
Major General Paul Tedman told the BBC that these efforts to disrupt UK-based military activities are “weekly”, Russia also closely monitored the country’s space assets.
Major General Tedman said, “We are watching our satellites jamming on a reasonable basis by Russians.”
The UK maintains about six dedicated military satellites for communication and monitoring, which they confirmed that they are equipped with counter-joining technology to reduce such attacks.
He said: “They have received a payload on the board who can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them.”
The risk of space-based intervention is not limited to Britain.
In September, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed that Russia was monitoring two Intelsat satellites used by the German Army.
At a space conference in Berlin, he said, “They can be jam, blind, manipulated or disrupt satellites.”
In response to rising international stresses, the United Kingdom and the United States last month conducted their first coordinated satellite maneuver in space, with defense authorities as a major step in cooperation of all the friendly countries.
Between 4 and 12 September, an American satellite was converted into orbiting to inspect a UK satellite and confirm that it was working properly.
The test operation was part of the Olympic defender, a joint military framework that aims to improve satellite defense and flexibility.
Major General Tedman said, “Experts executed with the US Space Command, I with my colleagues who cannot be more pleased or proud of the rapid progress,” said Major General Tedman.
“Now with our colleagues, we are conducting advanced orbital operations to protect and protect our shared national and military interests in space.”
Space increases as tension with Russia increases.
foreign Secretary Yweet cooper Last week warned that the UK is “ready to work” after the US President Donald Trump Publicly urged NATO Complaint to shoot Russian aircraft infiltrating.
In a speech for the United Nations in September, Ms. Cooper condemned the “provocative and careless” violations of NATO airspace in recent weeks, including events on Estonia, Poland and Romania.