A staunch Karmer supporter has lashed out at the Ministry of Defence saying that Britain is in dire need of an “iron dome” in order to defend itself from possible missile attacks.
Iron Dome is the best known of Israel’s missile shields. It is designed to intercept short-range rockets, as well as shells and mortars, at ranges of between 4km and 70km from the missile launcher.
The BBC report that there are Iron Dome batteries across Israel. Each one has three or four launchers containing 20 interceptor missiles each.
Now, Labour MP Luke Akehurst has said that the MoD has “neglected” funding protection against aerial threats – leaving the UK vulnerable to Russia and Iran. He said that funding a “British iron dome” must be a priority for the PM, especially in light of increased aggression from the two countries.
The Sun reports that ex-military chiefs and Tory MPs have spent months arguing that while the UK has an air defence strategy, it lacks state-of-the-art land-based systems like Israel’s iron dome. The mobile all-weather defence system can intercept short-range rockets, shells and mortars and is said to have saved thousands of Israeli lives as the country has been struck by enemies in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
Mr Akehurst said: “We need a properly integrated air and missile defence system that can defend against the whole range of aerial threats.
“This must be an urgent political, funding and industrial priority before it is too late – and our integration with new and bolstered air defence systems that our European allies have already had the foresight to invest in will be crucial.”
Just last month Russia fired new hypersonic ballastic missiles into Ukraine, targeting a civil energy system.
In May retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader said that investing in homeland defence will be integral to deterring threats from Putin.
“Rather sadly, we’re in the early 1930s again and need to be really careful.” He said.
“They say: ‘He who forgets the lessons of history is condemned to repeat them.’ I’ve got a nasty feeling that we’re not a million miles away from that.”
