UK 'woefully lacking' missile defence with no 'Iron Dome' and warships at sea

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Security and defence expert Professor Anthony Glees has warned that the UK is "woefully lacking" in missile defence systems such as Israel's 'Iron Dome', leaving the country wide-open for attack
The United Kingdom has "no fixed systems" and is woefully unprepared for missile attacks, according to one expert amid the looming threat of World War III.
Professor Anthony Glees, a security and defence expert from the University of Buckingham, highlighted the issue as he urged the UK government to create "a short, decently written booklet" to inform the public on how to prepare for potential war scenarios.
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He emphasised: "It should stress at the outset, of course, that the whole of our national defence strategy is about deterrence, that our foreign policy is defensive not offensive and that if we become as strong as we now want to be, thanks to [Prime Minister Kier] Starmer and his European colleagues and thanks (yes! ) to the goading from president Trump, then WW3 can surely be averted."
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Professor Glees insisted that such a guide should outline possible threats including cyber and drone attacks, and even missile strikes.
He expressed concern over the UK's current defence capabilities, saying: "The government would have to admit that we are woefully lacking in 'Iron Dome' systems round our key cities, as I understand we have five warships that could intercept incoming missiles but one or two are in the Gulf and one or two are being repaired.... We have no fixed systems at all."
Glees also pointed out the reliance on the nation's submarine-based nuclear deterrent. "Everything to date depends on our Vanguard subs (in a decade to be Dreadnought subs) and their Trident nukes. If they are fired it will be Armageddon day so no survivors.
"But if, more likely, there's a conventional attack that's something we can prepare for - a week's supply of food, bottled water, paracetamol and loads of emergency Snickers bars as well as battery operated devices and a couple of charging units, loaded for a few days from the electricity supply which will probably be turned off."
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This follows France's decision to distribute a 20-page booklet, containing 63 measures, instructing citizens on how to safeguard themselves and their families during various horrifying scenarios such as armed conflict, nuclear leaks, and natural disasters.
Last year, amid escalating fears of a third world war, countries like Sweden, Finland, and Norway started circulating pamphlets advising their populace to hoard food and water in anticipation of a potential nuclear assault. The Swedish booklet, titled 'If Crisis or War Comes', was distributed to five million households nationwide.
The 32-page guide offered comprehensive directions on gathering supplies and seeking shelter in case of warfare. It urged households to stockpile food and water to be prepared for any impending conflict.
Concurrently, Finland launched a government website detailing preparations for various disaster scenarios. "An insecure world requires preparedness. The military threat to Sweden has increased and we must prepare for the worst - an armed attack," reads the introduction of the Swedish booklet.