Europe reveals plan to create its own Iron Dome

The British Conservative Party has unveiled a plan to create an air defense system called "Britannia Shield," costing up to £10 billion over 10 years. Party leader Kemi Badenoch stated it is the British version of Israel's "Iron Dome." The system is intended to protect cities, infrastructure, and military bases from missiles and drones, including those from Russia and Iran. The project includes a network of radars, interceptors, and counter-drone measures.

The British Conservative Party has presented a plan to create a national air defense system called "Britannia Shield," which party leader Kemi Badenoch described as the British version of Israel's "Iron Dome." The project is estimated at £10 billion, to be allocated over 10 years. The system is intended to protect cities, power plants, military bases, and other critical infrastructure from missiles and drones launched by hostile states, including Russia or Iran. The plan includes a network of radars, command and control systems, interceptor missiles, and counter-drone measures. The Conservatives criticize the Labour government for insufficient efforts to protect the country. Badenoch stated that "war has returned to Europe" and that cheap weapons are changing the nature of warfare. The party has pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge will present additional details at the party conference in Birmingham. The initiative comes amid a debate on the state of British air defense: a 2025 report by the parliamentary defense committee noted the UK's limited capabilities in this area. However, the system will not be an exact copy of the Israeli counterpart—it must account for geography and the spectrum of threats. The article also mentions incidents with Russian drones over British bases and the withdrawal of American bombers due to the Iranian threat.