Russian interference with UK satellites has become a weekly reality, according to the head of the UK Space Command, Major General Paul Tedman. In an interview with the BBC, he revealed that Russian satellites have been stalking British military satellites while ground-based systems are attempting to jam them on a persistent basis. He described the activity as deliberate, with jamming attempts happening every week since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Britain currently has half a dozen dedicated military satellites in orbit, providing vital communications and surveillance capabilities. While this is small compared to the hundreds owned by the US, China, and Russia, the UK is now prioritising investment to defend its space assets.
General Tedman explained that Russian satellites are flying close to UK assets, equipped with payloads designed to observe and collect data. Although the UK has built counter-jamming technologies into its satellites, the threat is ongoing. He noted that while China’s space capabilities are more advanced, Russia is showing greater willingness to use counter-space systems aggressively. Alongside the risks posed by hostile interference, he also voiced concern about increasing congestion in orbit, with tens of thousands of objects now tracked and hundreds of new rocket launches each year.
On a visit to RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, home to Britain and America’s ballistic missile early warning system, General Tedman underlined how crucial space has become for defence. The radar system there can detect and track objects thousands of miles away, offering vital intelligence in the event of a missile launch. He stressed that space is a “team sport,” with the UK relying heavily on the United States for technology and support. With £450bn of the UK economy dependent on space, Tedman urged greater investment, warning that Britain risks falling behind. The threat from Russia is not going away, and he said defending satellites must remain a top priority.
