Archive · 6 Oct 2026
UK Conservatives Pledge £10bn Britannia Shield Air Defence System
The UK Conservatives have proposed a new system to help protect the country from missiles and drones.
They call it Britannia Shield.
The party says it would spend £10 billion on the plan over ten years.
The system would use radar to spot possible threats.
It would also connect defence teams so they can decide how to respond.
Missiles and tools to counter drones would be part of the plan.
The Conservatives say it would protect the UK, its sovereign territories and British bases overseas.
They want to have a basic version ready during their first term if they win the next general election.
The proposal has not been described as an existing or completed system.
The Conservatives say they would invest £10 billion over a decade in a system called Britannia Shield if elected.
The pledge was announced at the party’s annual conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, October 6.
The proposed network would cover the United Kingdom, sovereign territories and British bases overseas.
Its planned components include advanced radar, upgraded command and control, interceptor missiles and counter-drone capabilities.
The party says it aims to deliver a minimal deployable shield during its first term in government.
- Who
- The UK Conservative Party, with the pledge announced by leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge.
- What
- A proposed £10 billion missile-and-drone defence network called Britannia Shield.
- When
- Announced at the party’s annual conference on Tuesday, October 6; the article does not state the year.
- Where
- Announced in Birmingham; the proposed system is intended to protect the United Kingdom, its sovereign territories and British bases overseas.
- Why
- The Conservatives say the system is needed to defend against missile and drone threats.
- Proposed investment
- £10 billion over a decade
- Proposed name
- Britannia Shield
- Announcing party leader
- Kemi Badenoch
- Shadow defence secretary
- James Cartlidge
- Planned components
- Advanced radar, upgraded command and control, interceptor missiles and counter-drone capabilities
- Initial target
- A minimal deployable shield during the party’s first term in government, if elected
- Intended coverage
- The UK, its sovereign territories and British bases overseas